“Most don’t want to be trailblazers, but everyone wants to jump on the bandwagon.”

Trailblazing is NOT EASY. I define “trailblazing” as when one swims upstream, against the current, against all odds, following one’s heart, beliefs, intuition and gut to prove to oneself and others that what they instinctually believe to be true is, in fact, the case. Trailblazing is the norm for many in all fields, from technology to psychology to astronomy.

Anytime someone does something different, new, and innovative that challenges the status quo, people will attempt to criticize, attack, condemn, and do everything within their means to assuage their deeply embedded fears and unconscious feelings of inadequacy. Most of the time, people are not even aware of how their cognitive patterning drives them and their basic human need to fit in, to be part of the herd, to be followers, and not to stand out. But when the innovator, the target of their hostility, succeeds and his idea becomes reality, they turn into his biggest supporters. They say they “knew it all along,” when of course, like everyone else, they simply joined in the criticism.

There are, however, individuals who thrive on being different, on being the “black sheep” that challenge the status quo, push the envelope, forward think, create, envision. These are the innovators, artists, CEOs, philosophers, entrepreneurs, writers, and visionaries who add value to this world, which would not be nearly such a wonderful place without their gifts!

“Everything that each and every one of us uses came from someone else, somewhere, sometime.“

There are many well known examples of these legendaries being condemned at the time for their forward and out-of-the-box thinking: Columbus, Copernicus, Newton, and Socrates, to name a few. Today, they are remembered as geniuses and they will forever occupy vital places in history for their global perspectives, self-belief, determination, and conviction.

These innovators made a huge difference for the rest of the world. They risked their lives, reputations, and everything they had for what they felt in their hearts and souls was right.  No matter how many times they failed, or how much criticism and skepticism they attracted, they continued to blaze trails for what they believed in.

We all have the ability to do great things. I suggest that if you believe in something, and you know in your heart of hearts it is right, then for God’s sake get out there and do it.  Go after it. Put 110% into it and bring whatever it is to fruition for you and the world to see . . . today, tomorrow, and for all of eternity.

Lately, I have been flooded with inspiration; all different types, at all different times.  Currently, I do not have enough time in the day to be able to create all the content I would like but have a giant backlog to dig into when I am blessed with that opportunity. This post, however, came from a deep moment of clarity and inspiration I had this week on a very important subject:

Insecurity

I will preface this by saying that not everything I write or theorize is always mainstream.  I also, at times, give a glimpse into some of the more “raw” elements of myself purely in hopes to help and educate others who may be able to relate and identify with me.

In our ever-evolving world, there is one topic that is continually getting worse:

Insecurity.

We were all kids at some point in our lives.  Naked, vulnerable, authentic, and untouched; as a child freshly born from our mother’s womb.  Then a few years later, at a very young age, we are processing and conditioning our impressionable little brains, molding us into the people we are today.  During those times come parenting, teachers, and other influencers in our life that play a very important role in who we become.

Now, let me ask this question: Have you ever felt insecure? Honestly? Don’t let your ego give an instant guarded response here. Take a moment to honestly step back, reach into your real self, and ask yourself that hard question:

Have I ever felt insecure?

Look, it would be a flat out lie if I told you that I wasn’t insecure at times.  It would also be a flat out lie if you weren’t either. I am human, you are human, we all are human. We are purely a product of our conditions at a young age, then a product of post-adolescence choices. Personally, I struggled considerably with a family that was very unstable during a highly impressionable stage in my life.  My parents became divorced, after much confusion, I was in the middle, and why wouldn’t I develop a deep, dark insecurity when I was abandoned by my family at the age of 12? Whether my parents knew it or not, it made me feel unwanted, unloved, unlovable, and worst of all, alone. This initial traumatic experience led to many years of misunderstanding myself and being misunderstood by others. All the while I was trying to fill myself up with money, women, alcohol and anything to numb the real pain that I wasn’t strong enough to confront.

Here is where I am going with all of this and why:

Something cognitive psychology won’t teach you, and comes from the School of Life is that ALL of our biggest “weaknesses” end up becoming our GREATEST STRENGTHS.

Insecurity has traditionally been regarded by society as a bad thing. I fully agree that insecurity, if not dealt with properly, can lead to incredibly toxic behavior. However, I would argue that we are more susceptible to insecurity purely due to society, human evolution, improper parenting, drugs, crime, alcohol, and more fear and negativity than ever before.

As I said earlier, our weaknesses always become our strengths, and after over 10 years of personally studying insecurity, I have finally came to this conclusion…..

So, are you ready for the big revelation?

Here it is:

Insecurity goes hand in hand with serving others. Why? Simple.  Someone who has felt insecure for any number of reasons in their life develops a genuine compassion for others. When you are compassionate for others, you seek to help them so they don’t have to go through what you did.  You serve.

Insecurity has been misunderstood for far too many years.  Yes, it can be TOXIC if you let it control you.  However, if you control it, it is one of the greatest gifts that any human being can possibly possess simply because your deep sincerity and compassion drives you to excel at helping, serving, educating, and preventing others from going through the same heart aches and struggles you have.  The insecure person puts others first. A true leader puts others before himself. A true servant will feed to poor before they feed themselves.

Insecurity is a great gift from God. Use it.

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Today was an interesting day.  So has been my week, month, year, and life for that matter. I take every day as a wonderful blessing and learning experience and live in the present moment attached to nothing.

However I find myself continually asking myself a question? A deep curiosity inside of me for many years has wondered why? Why about one thing. One thing that comes in and out of my life.  One thing that I believe comes in and out of everyone’s life.  One thing that makes us all alike.  One thing that I find myself asking in good times, and in bad.  One thing that seems so fundamental yet is so complex. One thing that even the most wise have trouble answering.  One thing that I do not have the answer to and would like to understand further.  One question that could save so many people from pain, suffering, heart ache, loss, turmoil, failure, problems, and any other “bad things” that happen in life.

Still reading? Good. Let’s continue…

What is age? What is wisdom? What is knowledge?

What good are any of these things if they are not passed on?

Why do humans guard these treasures so close unwilling to share?

Why are most in life for themselves, willing to hurt others for their own internal benefit?

Here is the thing…Since we as humans have been around for tens of thousands of years and only a very select few individuals have been able to see even a glimpse into some of the most notable wisdom that’s out there in the world, I believe one thing to be very troubling…and it is my “unanswered question.”

The unanswered question that no one else will ask is this:

Why must we as humans time and time again, generation after generation, go through the EXACT same problems?

Religion would give you one answer.

Ancient Indian or Chinese Philosophies would give you another.

Astrology would say something different

Science would tell you the fact.

So what is it? Why?

From my perspective, I come from a place where (and is probably from much continual temperament in my life) that I feel it is my duty and obligation to pass on ANY AND ALL of the knowledge and wisdom I have gained in my life to help others so they never have to go through what I have gone through.

Whether that is in life, business, family, friends, relationships, spiritually, whatever it is. I want everyone to benefit from the collective knowledge and wisdom we as humans have gained all through out time.  Not just the elite. Not just the enlightened.  But, anyone who would like to participate in what I call the “unanswered question.”

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Being honest with ourselves is no easy task.  Being honest about our bad habits, negative thoughts, how we look, and being brutally honest with others may be the hardest of all.

So why do we not tell others EXACTLY how we feel about them? Why do most humans hold back on being 100% candid with others?  Why are we not always honest of ourselves? Fear of Criticism.

Fear of criticism is a terrible and limiting belief because it prevents you from achieving and being your true potential.  FEAR holds you back from taking that risk of asking that special person out you have always wanted because you are afraid of they what they might say in return.  FEAR prevents you from diving into the unknowns in your life because that is scary.

So your probably thinking why am I writing about honesty and fear?

The answer to conquering all fear is honesty.  Be honest with yourself.  Be honest with others.  Fear is so toxic, and serves no real good use other than maybe if you were being chased by a big angry bear. Fear is a “signal” that is trying to tell you something…. most of the time, it’s telling you “honestly” what you need to do.  Maybe you need to prepare more for that big speech and that is what fear is signaling. Maybe you need to totally be yourself and let your guard down around others, and the fear that comes up when you talk with someone new is a “signal” to be more honest and just be yourself.

In any event, there has NEVER been anything wrong with being honest. Be honest to someone if they are not being kind to you. Be honest with what you feel you are worth. Be honest with your boss that you are not being valued enough, and just watch how people will respond.

Our society, bad parenting, and the media have conditioned humans to not be true to themselves. And let me tell you something. When you are honest will people, really honest, real, vulnerable, and yourself – THEY CANNOT HELP BUT TO SEE THAT IN THEMSELVES ALSO AND THERE IS A DEEP, DEEP, EMOTIONAL CONNECTION.

Most people cover up who they really are. Most people have feelings of being scared, lonely, fearful, hurt, angry, etc. also and if you show these emotions to others they will be able to connect to you on a deep emotional level.

Connectedness is what makes humans, humans. Be honest.

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Yesterday I was dirking some ice-cold water out of my refrigerator and it made me think of this analogy for business.

Water is water. Business is business. But if water gets cold enough it will change into ice. If it is in a cup it will fit in that mold, and if you spill it out on the counter it will just follow to the path of least resistance. Water as we know it is just make up of the molecules H20, two hydrogen atoms, and one oxygen atom.

As humans we are made up of molecules as well and are in full control of ourselves. When water turns to ice its physical appearance changes but not is chemical properties. Same as humans. When we want something to happen for our business our molecules inside of us start stirring up and moving around which changes us and our state to do something about it. We are still the same, just appear different. For some its fear, for others its change and action. Change is good, whether it’s water to ice, or when we need to change ourselves in business.

Water changes into something different in a different environment and is very adaptable. In business, don’t be afraid of change.

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