Many of us allow our fear to stop us in our tracks. All it takes is a less than encouraging word, a negative facial expression, or a less than positive opinion, and we give up before we even get started. We're afraid of:
Let's look at these five catalysts to failure and how they can be overcome.
Abandonment
Little James Earl was scared. His father had left the family to become a prize fighter and actor. His mother had left to earn money as a tailor. The Great Depression had stolen his family and he was about to lose the only life he had ever known.
His grandparents had adopted him and now they were on their way to Michigan.
Rejection
Though his life in Mississippi had been one of abandonment, it was all the 5-year-old boy had known. The move to Michigan so traumatized him he developed a stutter.
His first day of school was a disaster. His stuttering made his classmates laugh at him. It was the final straw for a frightened little boy. He closed his mouth and simply quit talking? for eight years!
James Earl was completely mute ? with the exception of conversations he had with himself when he was all alone. He found solace in the written word ? creating poetry to release the raging in his soul.
Judgment
As is often the case, one person who saw beyond his limitations released James Earl from his self-imposed prison. That one person was an English teacher who saw talent in the silent 13-year-old. She pushed him beyond his fear by forcing him into public speaking ? insisting he recite a poem in front of the class every day.
Can't you imagine his terror when he first stood in front of his classmates? What made him do it? Was it only the teacher's insistence? No. It was a deep desire to break free from his prison and speak all the things that had sat silently in his heart during all those years. He chose to feel the fear ? and then do it anyway!
Failure
He stuttered. He stammered. He endured the sympathetic and scornful looks of fellow students. He endured the laughing. But he did it. He faced the fear and forced himself to speak. Day after day. Week after week. He hung onto the encouragement of the teacher who believed in him. And it worked. His stuttering became less. He learned to control his voice.
Responsibility
His victories made him look for more challenges. James Earl began to take acting lessons. His early lessons in perseverance gave him the courage to push beyond the prejudices against black actors. He chose to take as many different types of roles as he could ? stretching his limitations and refusing to be pigeon-holed with any stereotypes.
Beyond the Fear
James Earl Jones is now known for his deep authoritative voice. Perhaps you know him as the voice of Star War's Darth Vader or as Mufasa in the Lion King. You see him almost daily on commercials. He has starred on Broadway and been in many movies. He has been laden with Tony, Emmy and Obie Awards.
People look at him today and see a confident actor with a deep, resonant voice. The next time you see him, look deeper. . .
James Earl Jones' great secret to success is that he chose to push beyond his fears. He chose to change the reality of a young boy who had lived in silence for eight years. He chose to face ridicule and scorn in order to be free. I can only imagine how many years passed before he could open his mouth without being afraid of what would come out.
So many of us let our fears stop us. We're afraid of how we will appear. We're afraid of what people will think. We're afraid we'll fail. And so.
. . we do nothing. We exchange fear for regret.
Fear will pass. Fear can be conquered. Fear will fade away in the face of determined action.
Regret ? well, you'll live with that for the rest of your life.
What are you afraid of? Name the fear. Choose to face it. And take action to conquer it today! You, too, can live a life of success by feeling the fear and moving beyond it.
The story for this article was taken from Ginny Dye's daily secrets for success. Let these daily motivational stories stir your heart, fuel your desire and propel you into action. Subscribe at daily secrets for success
Rolling Meadows Cadillac Escalade rental .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare"The knowledge of actions or events before they occur; foresight."You... Read More
Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.... Read More
Believe me, today is the most wonderful day of your... Read More
There is an old joke about a man who is... Read More
With the beginning of a new year, are you happy... Read More
I am often astounded at what and why people believe... Read More
I have a 440-page guide on how to simplify my... Read More
Did you ever run into that person that just nags... Read More
"Spiritual Intelligence" (SI) is the ability of a person to... Read More
"There is an infinitely worthier subject for philosophers (to study)... Read More
I Hear Voices?This is not a statement of paranormal; it... Read More
Quote of the week:"Of all the attitudes we can acquire,... Read More
(The following is an actual email conversation between Newton Hightower,... Read More
I need your help. I did a good deed recently,... Read More
What's wrong with me? When I'm sick I get grumpy... Read More
I loved Norman Vincent Peale's, Power of Positive Thinking as... Read More
In my work as a professional coach, I've had the... Read More
Gratitude is one of the most important things you can... Read More
Ever feel like giving up? Do you ever feel so... Read More
If we are the products of our attitudes then it... Read More
One of the biggest potential problems we face with every... Read More
Does that title make you cringe? It made me cringe... Read More
"Adventure isn't hanging on a rope off the side... Read More
An affirmation is a positive assertion, a solemn declaration, a... Read More
Life is the greatest roller coaster ride we will ever... Read More
Des Moines rental limo ..When you change your thoughts, you change your life. The... Read More
One of our most active senses is sight. What we... Read More
In the self-help and wellness industry, a mission has been... Read More
I started life writing in the fifth grade. My mother... Read More
Peak Performance. It means being at the top of your... Read More
If you suffer with or have in the past suffered... Read More
When I was a young man, even a teenager for... Read More
Before we are able to use the Universal Thought System... Read More
Dear Friends,All human beings have a unique ability right from... Read More
Many of us allow our fear to stop us in... Read More
Have you ever noticed what can happen if you just... Read More
Ever witnessed an incident that needed to be reported to... Read More
What do you do when things in your life don't... Read More
Look at this glass on the table in front of... Read More
Getting motivated is sometimes easy enough to do, at least... Read More
The fear of success is more common than some might... Read More
It's time to put a bad rumor to rest right... Read More
This week's wisdom is on the power of living in... Read More
A joke is a way of getting people to laugh.... Read More
Recently, I coached a young woman whom I'll call Mary... Read More
I'm often asked how it is that I stay so... Read More
In his all-time bestselling record The Strangest Secret, author Earl... Read More
"Spiritual Intelligence" (SI) is the ability of a person to... Read More
The summer I was 20 years old, I worked as... Read More
Our attitude makes seems to control just about everything about... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |