What Are The Underlying Beliefs Holding You Back?
What beliefs have you clung to for so long that no longer serve you and need to be discarded in 2024?
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Recently, I read “The Alchemist” again – a book that beautifully unfolds the journey of a shepherd boy as he seeks to fulfil his dreams. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend it for the wisdom it holds, particularly on living one’s dreams.
In this month’s newsletter, I share a story from The Alchemist that deeply resonated with me – about a merchant who had a childhood dream to travel to Mecca. He began selling crystal glasses to fund this dream, hoping to save enough money for the journey. As years rolled by, his business thrived. Yet his travel to Mecca remained a distant, untouched dream.
Why? You might wonder, much like the shepherd boy who apprenticed under him.
Let's explore the story together…
Part A: Fear of Emptiness
One day, the shepherd boy curiously asked the merchant:
Shepherd Boy: “Well, why don't you go to Mecca now?”
Merchant: “Because it's the thought of Mecca that keeps me alive. That's what helps me face these days that are all the same, these mute crystals on the shelves, and lunch and dinner at that same horrible café. I'm afraid that if my dream is realised, I'll have no reason to go on living.”What a poignant response.
Underlying the merchant’s words was a deep-seated fear of emptiness – the dread that realising his dream of travelling to Mecca would leave a void, robbing him of the purpose and hope that kept him alive and going. Does this resonate with you, especially when you reflect on your dreams?
That underlying belief held the merchant back; his travel to Mecca remained but a dream.
What if the merchant dared to confront his belief? What if he dared to believe that his dream could be the beginning of a new chapter rather than the end of the story?
Part B: Fear of Disappointment
Concerning dreams, the practice of visualisation – like creating vision boards – can be a powerful tool for manifestation. The concept is simple: by vividly envisioning your dreams, you imbue them with a sense of reality, making them more attainable.
Yet, this visualisation became a double-edged sword for the merchant in our story. He confessed to the shepherd boy:
Merchant: “You dream about your sheep and the Pyramids, but you're different from me, because you want to realize your dreams. I just want to dream about Mecca. I've already imagined a thousand times crossing the desert, arriving at the Plaza of the Sacred Stone, the seven times I walk around it before allowing myself to touch it. I've already imagined the people who would be at my side, and those in front of me, and the conversations and prayers we would share. But I'm afraid that it would all be a disappointment, so I prefer just to dream about it.”The merchant’s response echoed yet another underlying belief – the fear that the reality of his dream would pale compared to his imagined experience, shattering the illusion he held so dear.
So, he settled for just fantasising about travelling to Mecca.
Dear Dreamer, are there dreams you hesitate to chase due to the fear of potential letdown? How often do you sabotage your dreams with the fear of disappointment?
What if we embraced the journey as part of the adventure instead of fixating on the potential pitfalls? After all, isn't it the pursuit of our dreams that lends meaning to our lives?
Part C: Fear of Change
Let’s briefly shift from the merchant’s dream to his business.
When the shepherd boy suggested selling tea in their crystal glasses to boost sales, the merchant initially resisted, saying:
Merchant: "I've had this shop for thirty years. I know good crystal from bad, and everything else there is to know about crystal. I know its dimensions and how it behaves. If we serve tea in crystal, the shop is going to expand. And then I'll have to change my way of life. The shop is exactly the size I always wanted it to be. I don't want to change anything, because I don't know how to deal with change. I'm used to the way I am."This time, underlying the merchant’s response was a fear of change – the dread of stepping out of his comfort zone, potentially impeding his business growth and personal development.
Thankfully, the merchant later acquiesced and his business flourished even more.
However, how often do we find ourselves in the same predicament, clinging to the safety of the status quo? Yet, true growth lies beyond the confines of our comfort zones.
What if we viewed change not as a threat, but as a gateway to new possibilities?
Part D: Bringing It All Home
Dear Dreamer,
You have dreams. I know. But it takes more than simply having a dream to bring it to reality. The merchant's poignant story serves as a mirror, reflecting our fears and inhibitions.
What beliefs might be holding you back from pursuing your dreams? Which ones have you clung to for so long that no longer serve you and need to be discarded in 2024?
Take a moment to reflect on your dreams, as well as the beliefs and fears that may be lurking beneath the surface. Until you uncover and confront these underlying beliefs, progress may remain elusive.
And, sometimes, all you need is a guiding hand to navigate through your fears and unlock your true potential.
As a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, I can guide you on this transformative journey. Book a free 30-minute discovery call here, and let's explore together how to make 2024 your best year yet.
Wishing you courage and clarity on your path,
O’Seye
Thank you O’Seye for the charge. I am intentionally breaking out from the “fear of spotlight”. I try not to be visible, especially in a large group. But I’m at a phase where I can’t hid, so I am learning to embrace every of such opportunity.