Can You Overcome Fear and Resistance to Live a Full, Creative Powerful Life?

It’s an ongoing process — don’t give up at the slightest misstep.

When I was around eight, after proudly unveiling a painting I created, my dad matter-of-factly said, “You’re smart, but you have no talent, so don’t think you can be an artist. Be a lawyer or teacher instead.”

I bought into the idea that I had not one iota of talent.

Overcoming a false belief

Before I was born, my father was an artist when he realized he could not support the family in this career choice. At that time, our family consisted of my mom, my sister, who was a year old when I was born, and my dad.

I suspect he was bitter about this — giving up a vocation he loved after graduating from art school.

When I was 50, I decided to give up the old story that I had no talent. After all, I’d already proven I was creative in several other endeavors.

I decorated several homes beautifully and cooked delicious meals set on lovely tablescapes. I was often complimented on my clothing choice and asked for advice occasionally when a friend needed a new outfit.

These instances proved to me that I did possess some degree of creativity.

So, what’s up with holding onto something my father said decades ago?

Let it go

It was time to let go of that old baggage, and into art, I dove. One of my biggest fears is creating art. I love art, all forms. Producing it is another story.

Despite my fear and resistance, I signed up for weekly classes and, as a result, painted quite a few pieces that I liked. I am proud of this accomplishment.

Are you a procrastinator? Do you know why? Is it because the task you’re avoiding is tedious? Or is it fear?

There is a form of procrastination that is due to fear. It’s known as resistance.

The more important a call or action is to our soul’s evolution, the more Resistance we will feel toward pursuing it. — Stephen Pressfield, author.

That quote by Mr. Pressfield explains a great deal. Our soul is begging us to allow it to evolve.

However, resistance kicks in again when I decide to create a new piece of art. I am going to begin that new painting. I’m just going to start tomorrow.

Talent is like an underwater stream — equally available to everyone. You tap into it with your effort, and it flows through you. — Pam Grout, New York Times bestselling author and journalist.

Fear

Resistance is primarily fear, saying; run for the hills.

Have you ever felt it? The stomach-clenching? Sweaty hands? Perhaps even a panic attack threatening? How did you feel when you overrode that fear, completing the chore that seemed so overwhelming? I am sure you were incredibly proud of yourself. And you should be.

It’s easier to bury your head and say — I’ll do that another day. It isn’t all that important anyway.

However, those thoughts can destroy your self-confidence, so each time a scary opportunity arises, you may default to fear instead of courage.

I felt a calling to create a collage in honor of my son, Anthony, who passed away at age 36 eight years ago. It took a considerable amount of time to muster the courage to begin.

Once I started, things did not move along smoothly.

However, torrents of tears and a massive amount of resistance later, a piece of art emerged that I love.

The collage contains fragments of notes and cards from him that he gave me throughout the years and other aspects of this precious soul that establish this collage as priceless.

There are three kinds of people in this world; people who make it happen, people who watch what happens, and people who wonder what happened. — Tommy Lasorda.

In January 2021, I began writing for Medium. Enjoyable, absolutely. Easy? Not so much. Resistant — heck yeah, but only in the sense that I hope many will read my articles.

I have zero resistance to writing. However, I don’t want to be writing into the wind. I want to be heard.

After reading numerous articles published on Illumination, I knew I wanted to be a writer for them.

Then, I discovered Black Bear, Age of Empathy, and The Memoirist.

The ole resistance reared its ugly head, and all manner of excuses entered my mind, primarily that I was too busy writing for Medium. The truth was procrastination set in.

Finally, after ten months of allowing fear and resistance to hold me prisoner, I submitted a request to be added to Illumination as a writer.

Much to my surprise and delight — within 24 hours, I was accepted.

My next brave move was to apply to Black Bear, Age of Empathy, and The Memoirist.

Why was I so afraid? The worst that could happen would be rejection. Again, I was welcomed.

I love Steven Pressfield’s book The War of Art, focusing primarily on resistance in all its disguises and justifications.

In it, he says:

…when we sit down day after day and keep grinding, something mysterious starts to happen. A process is set into motion by which, inevitably and infallibly, heaven comes to our aid. Unseen forces enlist in our cause; serendipity reinforces our purpose.

What would you like to try, experience, or create? Can you overcome your fear and give it a go? You may be amazed that it was not as difficult as you thought. You just may be delighted by the result.

In my heart, I know that the only way to overcome resistance is to proceed despite the fear. Magic may arise.