It’s nearly midnight here in the middle Rio Grande of New Mexico where I live. I’m spending the evening in a reflective mode, enjoying the near 40 degrees outside rather than the middle teens we had a week ago. I’ve walked the nature center trail this morning, fed my neighbor’s cat, talked to my children and even purchased a used car–with great fuel economy and carrying capacity I quickly add. A very interesting New Year’s Eve day.
I also took the time to listen to several PhilosophersNotes downloads as a segue into the new calendar year. I highly recommend these 20 minute uplifting messages first because they are profoundly inspiring teachings condensed from books on various financial, metaphysical and self-development subjects and second, because they are completely free (at least right now.) As I set up about an hour’s worth of readings to listen to from Wayne Dyer, Eric Butterworth, David Koch and others, I jotted down various comments, quotes and ideas that attracted my interest.
When I looked back on what seemed like unconnected doodles on my spiral notebook, a pattern had emerged. A pattern of thought, a pattern of purpose and a pattern for engaging in this work I’ve chosen for myself. Two words stood out: banish doubt.
While around us the news media, the politicians, the pulpit, mosque, temple, and consultants throughout the world all seem to be screaming the same message: be afraid, be very afraid–for your money, your safety, your jobs, your sense of security, I know I need to take a different approach. Like Despereaux–the tiny mouse with the over-sized ears–being afraid just isn’t a very practical or interesting way to spend one’s life. And to gently move you out of whatever fear trap you are in, I recommend you get your free “De-Stress Kit” by the folks at HeartMath. Yes, it’s free! 
When we live in fear, it’s too easy to believe that this four-month period or even the next year or two are going to decide not only the rest of my life but the fate of this entire planet. Really? Let’s look at what the world has survived so far and think again.
So when I heard the following quotation read on PhilosophersNotes last night, I knew I had been gifted just the mantra I needed. Some words of wisdom to help me keep doing this work without any measure of certainty on how it will turn out. Here it is: “Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.” ~ William Shakespeare.
“Our doubts are traitors…” yes they are and they should be treated as such, hung, drawn and quartered. When we doubt–our abilities to heal, to improve the lives of others, that the next day can be better than today, that gardens can arise from nothing, that we have something to share–we become traitors to ourselves and others. We withdraw and contract in fear rather than becoming more like brave-hearted Despereaux, who assessed then conquered the gauntlet of what seemed a certain death-by-mousetraps. And cackled joyously when he realized he survived. Doubt is never our friend for it turns on us, ridiculing our endeavors and our generosity and shaming our creativity. A continuous diet of doubt eventually starves our hope as well. And then our soul.
Writing this blog is a constant reminder that I have been blessed for sticking it out and moving on. I have been supported, mentored, cared for, assisted, nurtured, and encouraged from the start from so many individuals, some of whom I’ve never met. Why? I believe it is because I refuse to give up or give in to doubt. (Alright, most of the time.) I never doubted the benefits but I have doubted myself and slowed down the process. But if not me, then who would do this?
For 2009, there is still much more to share and write about and so I’ve made myself this pledge: to finish and upload my eBook (in just a couple of weeks) so all of these amazing gardens can be shared with many more people even more easily; to make more gardens in more locations for more people to use; and to do an even better job of promoting the individuals and organizations who exemplify my new mantra.
I am humbled by and grateful for the accomplishments of Margaret Trost of What If? Foundation, Hank Bruce and Tomi Folk of Hunger Grow Away and Job Ebenezer of Technology for the Poor. Although you are constantly facing one or a barrage of mousetraps–less money donated, fewer resources, lack of support or just low energy–you know in your hearts you can leap over them…and that is why you succeed.
So here’s my challenge to myself and to all of you: Banish Doubt! Right now, today, erase doubt from your vocabulary. Instead practice being more like Despereaux: Believing Big. Then practice leaping–fearlessly with confidence, gusto, generosity, love and joy. Happy New Year!
