Day 133

A person very close to me spends the majority of is time in a haze of doubt. He cannot decide whether to buy or sell, continue on or drop out, spend more or save more, stop the bleeding or let it flow.

Worse, he listens to his inner guide and responds outwardly that he feels overwhelmed, stressed, paralyzed and lost.

He not only listens, that voice has become his image, the inner taking control and dictating his every move, word and deed.

He is a mess.

There is no joy in Mudville, and Mighty Casey is still standing in the on-deck circle. Smiles are rare and laughter all but forgotten.

Why do we allow this 'paralysis of analysis' such power? How long must we sit atop the fence waiting for someone to push us to one side or the other? Is it fear of failure? Is it over-caution? Is it stage fright, writers block or a lull in motivation?

What?

I am firmly entrenched in the camp where our scout leader suggests, on a daily basis, that we be prepared - and then do what pushes our souls higher. Do that thing that scares you. Climb the mountain, dive in, JUMP. Run like the wind, ride as if your life depends upon it and never, ever, second-guess your decisions. No looking back. THAT is not the direction we head.

Ever.

You cannot fail. Learning from our mistakes is growth, experience. That is how we build character, amass inspirational stories and shape the persona of our spirit. The very moment you decide to act, the cosmos (in its varying forms and faces) moves in to assist. Sometimes it is so powerful you can almost hear it whisper, 'Got your back dude'.

So be bold. Have faith. Man up and be sensitive to the goal, which has nothing to do with fame or fortune. It is about being happy and enjoying the ride. As wild as it gets sometimes. Don't close your eyes on the roller-coaster. You might miss the ride of your life.

Diet and exercise is like that too. Choose one, the one that serves you best, and with all your energy go get it. In sports we call this fueling and training.

Put your bike in the truck and go somewhere you can roast a red pepper at camp.

Or think about it until next summer.