Not a Cloud in the Sky
The other night as a reward for knocking out 2 assignments, I watched Netflix.
It was a Spanish mystery set in the 40s on a luxury liner traveling in South America. It’s a series so I haven’t seen the end.
Without giving away too much of the plot, they encounter a storm where the ship is rocked back and forth quite dangerously, and the captain on the bridge holds onto the railings tight as he searches for a way through.
Life is sometimes like that.
One moment everything is in hand, the sky is blue and the sun is shining….
And then a storm rises and rocks our world.
I had an experience of this when I learned this week that someone I had worked with online had passed on.
The two of us worked together and supported each other for three/to four years providing customer support to users of a SAAS product, so we were in touch almost daily.
I had left the project about 2 years ago and had fallen out of touch, and then out of the blue I heard the sad news.
We were about the same age. He was a year older.
It wasn’t so much a storm but more of a shock to the system, but it did shake me up.
I should have reached out to say hello, but I thought I could do it in my own time. I was wrong.
It wasn’t personal, I just wanted to move on.
Rest in Peace, my friend.
I take responsibility for not reaching out.
I will do better.
Feel the Fear
According to ‘Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway’, Susan Jeffries says there are 3 levels of fear.
The first level is surface fear and there are two types:
- things that happen that we have no control over and
- things that we can do/Action.
Type one is Natural Disasters, Accidents, Illness, Dying, War, Losing a loved one, and Loss of financial security…..
This is not a complete list. You can add your own…
(Now, I am not convinced we have no control. True, I have no control over someone dying but I can take responsibility for how I live my life daily and the choices I make.)
You Got to Weather the Storm.
So storms are inevitable. Things can get wobbly.
This is where our WHY comes into its own!
Why we do what we do, the goals we want to achieve.
Your Why has to be strong enough to weather the storms.
Some Days There Will Be Setbacks
It was not plain sailing this week. Things got a bit rocky.
It’s Not Easy But…
When we keep our nerve, do all we can, and hang in there, (like the captain on the bridge) we will get through the storm!!
Don’t give up on your dream.
Be Fearless,
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What are your fears? Write them down, make a list, and prioritize them.
Please leave a comment below. I’d love to hear from you.
Eleanor, I love it when you say don’t give up on your dream, be fearless. There must be so many people as well as ones I know that have never followed their dream. When you analyse it, it’s usually just fear or confidence. Fear isn’t real it’s just the thought of something that might happen. So you’re absolutely right, we have to be fearless and to be honest what’s the worst that will happen? It won’t work. So what we just adjust and carry on because you should change the plan but never the goal. Thanks, Atif
Eleanor,
I wanted to share condolences as well. Its a sober reminder to never take for granted the time we have each day, and to prioritize those things which are most meaningful to us.
AK
Hello Eleanor, sorry for your loss. The storms will pass and the sun will shine again it’s just a part of our journey.
“When you can’t change the direction of the wind, adjust your sails and navigate through the storm. Weathering the storm only makes you stronger, more resilient, and ready to conquer the calm seas that lie ahead.”
I hope you have a bright week to come.
Hi Eleanor,
I am so sorry for your loss, sending you prayers!
Such a great message about fear in the storms!
Like you reveal, we can’t let fear control our lives.
I got over a not so serious fear of recording video and putting myself out there.
However, more serious fear for me would be not being able to help my family when they need it.
Overcoming one day at a time 🙂
Denny
Hi Eleanor, I’m so sorry for your loss. I was reminded by Facebook of a friend of mine who’s birthday was yesterday; another beautiful lady taken too soon by cancer. I too have fears from time to time, especially in this program. Squeezing myself out of my comfort zone. Anyway, onwards and upwards. Take care.
Andy
I’m so sorry for your loss. That’s awful and it does rock the boat. A loss is very difficult and it hurts.
I love the idea of writing the fears down and tackling them one by one. We can’t let them control us.
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These losses are difficult as they change perspective on what life is all about. We are students of our own lives, after all. As we live, we learn. The impermanent nature of life teaches us about change, because that is the only constant to be counted on.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Eleanor.
Sometimes, life itself seems so fragile and unstable, and those waters get rocky.
My family has three people very sick at the moment. I’ve been sitting outside a lot this week, steadying myself by watching the wind blow those bare tree branches and hearing the birds sing. I’m so glad there are ways to get steady when everything gets rocky… the captain grabbed the rails and I am eagerly awaiting spring. It’s freezing and wintery outside, but the irises leaves are springing up, and the rose bushes are getting new leaves.
My sincerest condolences. Here’s to finding beauty in the storm!
Hi Eleanor,
I can feel your sorrow and in some way, share as well. A very very good friend passed away a couple of weeks ago. I didn’t have the chance to go talk to him or say to him everything that I should have. His wife was very forgiving and understood that life sometimes rocks the boat in a manner we never foresaw.
He was my age with the same dreams. It makes you realize how time is short and how important it is to not only NOT stop dreaming but to pursue those dreams at all cost.
Sending you a big Canadian hug. Take care.
Hi Eleanor,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I too have had sudden losses of friends (around my age) in just over a year and the loss of my mom a few short months ago.
We think we are managing our time, but in reality, it is the unforeseen time that controls us. No one knows when it will be our time to bid goodbye.
We must learn to weather the storm as you mentioned.
Your post hit me on a very personal level. Thank you for your words to guide me on my journey.
All the best,
Milissa Neirotti
Eleanor, I hate to hear about your loss. It’s another reminder of how short and how precious life really is… “Time” , it seems to go by so quickly, and the older we get… it seems to go even faster, with no chance of slowing it down. My “Why” is a daily reminder of that. Our “Why” is the sole reason to hold on tight through the storms because we know that there will be calm seas ahead! Thank you for sharing.
Hi Eleanor, I’m sorry to hear about what happened. This is a timely reminder that life is unpredictable. We should not waste time and allow any fear to hold us back from going after our dreams.
It made me realize that a lot of the fears I have are quite insignificant compared to the more important things in life. Thanks for sharing this and I hope you are feeling better.
Hi Eleanor
Great post and I agree 100% with what you say, Condolences on the loss of your friend and yes it’s a shock when we loose someone who has been in our lives and yes it can take take the wind out of your sails, but like the good captain we will get there,
Hi Eleanor,
So sorry to hear about your loss. Fear can paralyze us at times and we all have to recognize when that happens and try not to let it get the best of us. It a learning experience and we all go through it. All we can do is learn from it and do better afterwards. Thank you for this post.
Meredith
So sorry to hear of your loss. I needed to read this post today! It was encouraging and applicable to a fear I am currently facing. Just reading the title of Susan Jeffries’ book was actually helpful… Feel the Fear and do it Anyway. I’m going to check it out! Thank you!
Hi Eleanor,
I’m sorry to hear about your loss. Time flies by us so quickly. 🙁
I really enjoyed your post and makes total sense. As I sit down and start reading these blogs, I am in a funk myself, seeing to little views on my TikTok, going back and looking at your bold highlights really started to get me to realize.. I have only just started.. And I’m not giving up on dream.
Thanks for the great post.
Sandy
Hi Eleanor, my sincere condolences to you on the passing of your friend.
Yes sometimes our sail in life can feel smooth, other times it can feel choppy and other times it can feel as if we are weathering a storm and the waves can feel intense.
These times are good for reflection and to think again about your WHY
Why are you going where you are going? WHY have you set this course?
Keep pushing forward even if it is slowly…slow is still moving.
The waters will calm and you will be so pleased you kept moving forward, continuing to build the life you want despite the recent intensive waves.
I look forward to visiting again to read your future posts
Wishing you a good week ahead and calmer waters
I have subscribed to your Newsletter 🙂
Sorry you lost a friend.
I enjoyed your engaging prelude to the post by framing a netflix movie to catch peolples attention
We are all buffeted by storms in our life, and it is our ability to overcome that proves our resilience and perserverance in journeying into the online world.
Keep up the excellent work.
Eleanor, please accept my sincere condolences for the lost of your friend.
When the boat is rocking side to side, it is hard to keep the grip and at the same time so easy to let go. We are the captain of our life. That means it’s our job to keep the boat afloat. Even if fears are onboard, we can’t let them the power to stop us from moving forward.
Martin
Hi Eleanor,
My sincerest condolences for your loss of a friend…
I can completely relate to the “SYSTEM SHOCK” we feel when you find out someone of your similar age has passed on… I am 36 as I speak, last year I had 2 of my closest cousins pass away suddenly, actually more like brothers. One passed in a car accident and one of Health issues… Both were under the age of 42, and my first thought when I got the news was “WOW” too young… But we don’t get to decide when these things happen. We only get to decide how we will deal with these moments in life, and how it will affect us going forward.