I was on vacation with my grandchildren in Cabo San Lucas, when they suggested we rent four-wheeled, all-terrain vehicles.
I will admit, I’m more of a read-a-book-by-the-pool type of person. I’m not a big fan of motorcycles, and though my children explained that ATVs were different because they had four wheels instead of two, that did nothing to assuage my fears.
I had said I didn’t want to go. I told them I’d heard of a lot of people being hurt while riding them. It seemed to me that plenty of people had accidents while riding ATVs, and they just didn’t seem safe…
However, my protests fell on deaf ears — they were determined that we all go together as a family, and so I finally agreed.
We rented the ATVs and hired a guide, who proceeded to take us toward these beautiful white sand dunes that were in the far distance. On the other side of the sand dunes was the beach, and lighthouse that we’d be able to sit beside and watch the sunset.
Off we went along a bumpy paved road toward the dunes, and let me tell you… when riding an ATV, there’s a lot to coordinate!
These vehicles have 5 gears, and it took a little while for me to learn to shift. It was confusing and scary at first. I fell behind the group, and John, my oldest son, kept coming to the back of the convoy to urge me on… “Come on, Mom. You’re holding us back. Step on the gas!”
I continued on, and eventually saw a small hill. I made my way to the top of it, put the ATV in park and told my kids, “Go on ahead. I’ll wait for you here. This is a beautiful place to watch the sunset.”
My youngest, Mat, rode up to me and said that they couldn’t go on ahead without me, because it was another hour of riding before they’d reach their destination.
A Family Saying That Reminded Me Of Self Development
Mat challenged me with one of our family sayings,
“Are you going to let fear run your life? Just take a baby step. Affirm!”
I had to laugh — this was a self-development tool I’d taught him to use to overcome his fears. Though I didn’t relish the idea of spending another hour white-knuckling it to our final destination, I said reluctantly, “Okay, I’ll do it.”
We continued along the bumpy road. After a little while, we changed landscapes (remember, they call these All Terrain Vehicles for a reason), and were driving across the sand dunes.
This new terrain required that I adjust and learn new driving skills. I kept getting stuck in the sand, and it seemed as though I was the only one having this challenge.
I had no problem getting DOWN the sand dunes, but when I tried to drive up the next one, I would start to slide back a little bit… which felt scary and frightening, and then, I’d just come to a complete stop.
I wondered, was my ATV malfunctioning? I couldn’t seem to maintain any kind of forward momentum!
Meanwhile, everyone else was able to ride easily up and down the dunes, so I certainly wasn’t enjoying myself as much as everyone else seemed to be.
My family was very encouraging — by this time, they were watching me from the beach. The sun was now beginning to set, and it was almost time for us to turn back. But I didn’t give up!
My kids cheered me on, saying, “You can do it, Mom! Go for it! Step on the gas!”
After several tries, my son-in-law, Jorge, came to my rescue. He said, “Mama, take your foot off the brake. You have power that you’re not using.”
Wow! In that very moment, I realized that every time I had tried to go up the hill, I was putting my foot on the brake… unconsciously.
I was following all the instructions my kids were giving me. I was using plenty of throttle, but the rear wheels just spun and dug into the sand. It never occurred to me that, in my fear, I was hitting the brake at the same time that I was giving the machine all that power to move forward. As a result, the full power of my ATV couldn’t be realized.
Of course I wasn’t moving!
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Jorge was very patient, but he did have to repeatedly tell me that I still had my foot on the brake. My brain simply didn’t recognize what I was doing. My fear was completely overtaking my brain’s ability to take in the information he was giving me.
After him repeatedly telling me, “Mama, you have power you’re not using. Take your foot off the brake,” I finally made the connection.
I released my fear, took my foot off the brake and hit the gas… and I was free! I quickly rode up the sand dune that was in front of me, and then the next one, and the one after that, with total ease.
What a glorious evening! What fun! No longer mired in my “problem” of trying to ride the ATV, I could now just enjoy the experience, and I began to fully take in and enjoy the beauty of my surroundings, including the lighthouse and the beach that I could now see.
I’ve never forgotten the life lesson (of personal growth) I learned that day.
Without realizing it, we often have one foot on the gas to move toward our dreams, but also one foot on the “brakes” of our personal power, out of fear of entering into the unknown.
Even though we may say and even take action on our goals and dreams, we are still holding ourselves back in some way, often without even consciously realizing it. This prevents us from creating a life we truly love living.
In our search for personal growth and self development, let us remember that we all have the power within us to create a life we truly love living.
Don’t let fear hold you back from fully immersing yourself in this wonderful experience called life! Take your foot off of the brakes, and unleash the full power that’s within you to move toward what it is that you desire and deserve. You can do it!
For more proven, step-by-step strategies on how to overcome fear, procrastination and limitations in order to create a life you truly love living, click here to download a FREE copy of my “Stronger Than Circumstances” ebook.
You had me at ATV…
I grew up on dirt bikes, so having the connection between driving the motorized things & my inner being really helped snap on the light in my mind. Thank you for that AH-HA moment! Another something I knew & wasn’t utilizing to its full potential.
I am reminded of my mother who had a fairly miserable life, never able to get out from under her mother’s thumb. She too drove an automatic with her feet both on the brake and the gas at the same time. It used to drive me crazy but after reading this I see it as a symbol of her whole life. Stop and Go, Stop again.
Oh Alice! I read you! Yes, we sometimes act in ways we don’t understand and neither our beloved ones. The very important step to take is to be AWARE of who we are and that no circumstance is greater than us or the power within us.
It is never too late to take the foot off the break, release fear and use the power within us to create a life we truly love living.
Alice I know you liked the article and found it useful. Please share it!
Thank you for your words and keep in touch for more articles to come!
Have an awesome day!
Dear Mary, Thank you so much it has opened my eyes as yes I must master fear and procrastination and the brake is definitely my problem . So will start and overcome it. Bless you
Lynette
Good for you Lynette! Im am so proud of you!
Keep up the good energy and work! You will definitely MASTER fear, limitations, procrastination. It is a “step at a day” process!
Please keep in touch and share the article if you liked it and find it helpful!
Here’s to you keeping up that energy and attitude of growth!
I put your letter off line to read & commented forgetting I was off line submitted a reply & posted it there …do you still get the reply if done this way?
Hi Patti, thank you for connecting!
I think I didn’t get that reply. You can submit it again here!
Have an awesome rest of the day!
Very powerful–like a parable in the Bible that Jesus teaches us about- showing that when we realize that “ALL” things are possible to those that trust in HIM and HE is always for us and never against us-the light illuminates our path !!
Hi Phyllis!
Yes, “ALL” things are possible!
Let HIS light illuminate our path and the world’s path!
Keep in touch. Keep reading and sharing my posts with friends and family Phyllis…
Have a wonderful day!!
Beautiful allegory! Thanks for sharing such powerful imagery. You’re absolutely right to make the connection of how often we want to step on the gas and move forward yet also put on the brakes. I can sure see that I do this and probably more often than I realize.
Thank you Lisa!
It is just a little tweak in our minds…
Have an awesome day and see you in the next post!
Hey, by the way, have you checked the lifemasteryinstitute.com/blog ?
😀
Just noticed my typo (* reading your what you’ve shered).
Maybe your reviewers can correct that during moderation. 🙂
Blessings,
Marty
Mary,
Thank you for being with me on this adventure of awakening that has been my life.
Being led to you, has been/is one of the growing number of experiences that fill me to overflowing with Gratitude.
Holy Spirit has definitely extended through you and blessed. Just reading your what you’ve shared of your experience with your family while in Cabo San Lucas has blessed me.
I could go on here but just wanted, in this Holy Instant, ;-), to reach out to you through this wonderful opportunity you’ve provided.
When might you be in the Seattle area again?
Blessings o’plenty Mary,
Marty Schmick
[email protected]
Hi Marty,
It is great to be in touch through these Blog. It is an opportunity and a blessing for me to be able to help you out and many people in your life transformation!
We need that transformation, so much these days…
By the way, here is a great article about how Gandhi show us how to find true happiness! I hope you like it!
http://bit.ly/Gandhi-The-Power-Of-Positive-Thinking
This reminds me of our family trip to Ireland, I cried the first day in fear of driving “on the wrong side” we had a car that was automatic at first I was stuck with emergency break on and after that the car would stall every time I came to a stop, it was an economic car to save gas but my boys where screaming at me to drive and I would hit the break instead of the gas total fear and confusion. Well going from County to county my family was so excited but I dreaded it, until the next day I learned all I had to do was hit the gas and go forward. Now I was feeling more comfortable and was able to enjoy the beautiful green mountains. Get out of my comfort zone and move. BTW I also learned half way through the trip I could disable the eco button with on little switch. Oh boy! Lol
Oh Anne! I am enjoying your story!
Just as it happened to me that time in Cabo!
All we need is “now that we have power we’re not using and take our foot off the brake!”
Thanks for sharing your story Anne! Share the article with your friends and family! Let’s spread the word.
By the way, staying inside your comfort zone is all well and good but it’s not where true, authentic ALIVENESS lives.
I think you will like this one: http://bit.ly/3-Myths-That-Can-Block-Your-Success
Here’s to your SUCCESS!
How inspirational, Mary! The trick is, as I am learning, being open to be open. And to be unencumbered by fear but rather to allow the God energy that is always with us to be trusted to lead us. What a great lesson your experience is for all of us.
Loved your story. Thank you so much.
Hi Joan!
Thank you so much for your comments!
Yes, everyday we learn from that gift we have of being here, present. And “being open to be open” is something we all should practice!
Thanks again and keep being open!
Joan, please share the article as I think many people are in the process of learning the process of “being open to be open”.
Thanks again… See you in the next one!