The Tribune

By MICHELLE MILLER

IT ALWAYS amazes me when I hear folk talk about the reasons or give excuses why their lives have turned out the way they have. For the most part, it is not their fault. Somebody did or did not do something, that is the real blame for their current station in life.

While we know that life has its share of wins and challenges, but whatever happened has already happened. The question is what will you allow to continue to happen?

Will you find your faith or allow your life to remain imprisoned by the handcuffs of fear?

Truth be told, most people will choose the latter simply because they don’t have the courage to make an improved choice for their life. This lack of courage is the result of what I call small-thinking conversations.

Whether you know it or not, your everyday conversations build the pillars of the person you become and the quality of life you live.

It may seem like a small thing to spend the bulk of your waking hours in negative conversations. However, words have unlimited power. They are the surgical tools with which we sculpt our minds and mould our behaviours. If you want to know whether faith or fear is the driving force, take a listen to what people have to say.

Ultimately, you stand where they sit. If you spend the bulk of your time sitting in a cesspool of blaming and complaining, this without a doubt will form the foundation of your life.

Language is the gateway to knowledge, wisdom and understanding. It literally shapes your life, builds your character and develops your future. The power of language influences your mind. Hence, you must stand guard at the gate of your mind.

Life, at best is simple, but we tend to make it hard. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and evidence of things not seen. Fear on the other hand is the belief in the absence of substance. When you surrender to fear you buy into the delusion of lack and limitation.

When fear becomes your driving force, anxiety, anger and aggression prevail. Over time you surrender your power to the problems; allowing them to take power over you.

When in truth you have the power to master your life.

Fear promotes the idea of playing it safe. Those who are fearful take little risks; often blocking themselves from life’s possibilities. The question here is, ‘How can you expand your understanding of faith in order to access such possibilities?’

Faith is a muscle it needs exercise to be developed. There is no meaningful living, without meaningful faith. Faith is a personal quality. You must believe and develop your faith for yourself if you wish to live faithfully.

Let go of the idea that you can live fully off somebody else’s faith. Commit to getting your own faith.

Faith is a quiet power. It does not require any shouting, hollering or group approval. Faith has nothing to prove. It just is.

This quiet, unlimited power goes beyond the borders of mere culture, traditions or habitual family customs. It is an internal essence which requires a deeper spiritual engagement.

Fear by its very nature is an illusion, and whenever fear appears, faith disappears.

It is only when your daily dialogues change from problems to possibilities that your life reflects the same promise. Living by faith instead of fear is a decision you must make. It requires a firm foundation of self-awareness, courage and confidence.

As I said, life is simple. It is not the answers that you get, but the questions you ask that matter most. Focus on asking bigger questions that give you clarity and understanding.

Be gentle with yourself and mindful of your daily conversations. They, in many ways, shape whether you live by faith or fear. Divorcing yourself from fear takes inner changes. Nothing in your life will change until you change.

Make today the day that you choose to live by faith and fearlessly create the life that you love.

• What do you think?

Please send your comments to coaching242@yahoo.com or 429-6770, or by snail mail to PO Box CB-13060. You can also visit www.michellemmiller.com.

Michelle M Miller is a certified life coach and leadership expert.