The Weight of Your Body is Nothing Compared to the Weight of Your Thoughts

More than anything physical, it is our thoughts that hold us down. The heaviest of all thoughts is fear.

The opposite of love isn���t hate. It���s fear. It judges in ways that are not helpful. It mocks us. It is debilitating.

We are afraid to be ourselves, fearful of rejection, scared of obstacles big and small. Afraid to change and afraid to stay where we are.

The best way to lighten one���s thoughts is with hope.

In the movie Cast Away, Tom Hanks��� character, after being stranded on a remote island for four years, finally garners the strength and courage to overcome the breaker waves, those giant, harsh waves that break as they near land. The ones fearless surfers ride to shore — if they don���t wipe out. But he knew that access to the life he wanted lay just beyond those breakers, and he made a plan. In the process, he lost Wilson, his beloved basketball-made-human. The truth is, he didn���t need him anymore. It was time to let go.

To overcome fear, try putting your brain on an exercise plan. Every day, do something that scares you.

Make that phone call, write that letter, ask for help. Breathe. Be stronger or weaker, whichever is harder. Forgive. First yourself, then others. Go inward. Start or stop being productive. Seek opposing views and listen. Change the channel.

Lighten the load on your mind, and you will feel lighter all over.

Breathe.

Hope.

Do.

Mary