Forbes magazine published a list of the Top 100 Inspirational Quotes. Some of them I've heard a million times, some only a few dozen but the entire list is Good Stuff. Certainly, you can learn from all of these quotes, perhaps even be moved to action. I've admired Maya Angelou (who makes the list more than once) ever since high school when I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings was required reading in my sophomore English class. Eleanor Roosevelt is another favorite, who I've quoted many times, and I know I'm not alone in my affinity for the words of John Lennon.
George Addair is a name that probably doesn't ring as many bells but his lasting impact on my life is something that I will be forever grateful for. George founded an organization called the Omega Vector which provides free self knowledge programs. The organization is run entirely by volunteers and funded by alumni who know that they experienced something invaluable there and want to pass that gift on to others.
George's quote on the inspirational list was simple but powerful:
"Everything you've ever wanted is on the other side of fear."
George Addair was not a flashy person. He wasn't chosen as a U.S. Poet Laureate, a singer with millions of screaming fans or a famous religious leader in Tibet. He was simply a man with an important message to impart and he set about doing that through workshops that he provided for free. He didn't seek to be quoted, just to share thoughts and ideas that would help people LIVE.
It is my intention to take all that I learned from George, through Omega Vector, to live a purposeful life of service and to show others the value of doing the same. As I have said of my experiences with the three different levels of Omega Vector workshops that I participated in, Omega didn't tell me new things, it showed me how to live them. George provided an instruction book for how to use all of the shiny wrenches, screwdrivers and hammers I'd been piling up in my toolbox.
While Omega Vector is in Phoenix, which means it isn't practical that everyone on the planet could go there to take part in a workshop, I can't think of anything that I would recommend more highly. George's wisdom is something that cannot be summed up by my praise and gratitude. In fact, I listened to a beautiful talk from George about Praise and Blame being opposite sides of the same coin, both equally unimportant to your life's work. Though he is no longer physically with us, the powerful presence of his life can still be felt there. You can watch videos of his past talks. You can read what he had to say and I would dare anyone seeking to find their purpose in life to try to leave his workshops unmotivated.
In honor of George, today I am going to do something I fear. To be honest, I don't know what it is yet. I need to think about it a little more but I will be sure to report back tomorrow. If everything I've ever wanted is on the other side of fear, it's past time I started checking out the other side. Who's with me?
Finding freedom in choices, balance and FUN. Breaking a few rules to things the way that my heart tells me (but nothing illegal!) and sharing the honest journey of a soul that wants to make the world a better place starting with myself.
I love that quote! It's so true. We can do anything we want. It's just fear that stops us and it's usually an irrational fear. The biggest accomplishment in my life, I think, was overcoming my fear of rejection so I could submit my writing to publishers. I'm glad I did.
ReplyDeleteI'm really glad that you did too because your example inspires me, which of course is true for all of us who model something. It's not just for us, but the world around us, but in the end, it's still really awesome personally. Thanks, Lisa, for being you, for writing and for sharing!
DeleteHi Kieta - I can't wait to read your post tomorrow! There's another saying I like that kind of goes with the one on fear... "What you resist persists." There's usually fear mixed in with resistance in some way. Best of luck to you! You're doing a great job with the #31dbc.
ReplyDeleteAhhhh, I like this saying too. I often judge how much something needs to be done by how much resistance I have to it. When things pop up that I feel like "uh uh, no way, I'd rather eat fish for the rest of my life" (I don't like fish at All) then I pause and ask myself what could be gained from doing that thing. The potential benefit is usually something amazing, so I suck it up and try it out. Thanks for the well wishes and encouragement. I'm just about to sit down and write today's post. Sooo glad I found your blog through the #31dbc! :)
DeleteI love this quote! Thank you so much for sharing! And I can hardly wait to read about your day. I have been looking for something to do once the #31dbc ends...and I came across http://30daybraverychallenge.com/ Who knows maybe it is something that would be of interest to you.
ReplyDeleteIn Love and Light,
Lisa
I'm so glad that this quote resonates with you too but even more so, thanks for sharing your next challenge. I'm SO in. I was wondering what I'd do in August and you just plopped it right in my lap. Thanks so much!!!
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