Who would I be? It’s been so long since I’ve had a dream of who I could be. So the answer is I’m not sure. I would want to be freer. I would want to feel confidence in relating to other people. I would have greater kindness. And I am not sure exactly how I should start. Start to wake up whatever is in me to make me be who I will be.
Fear keeps me away from the things I really want to do. Fear has a function but I don’t want it to dictate me how to live my life.
Fear of not being enough, not being loved, not being capable, but I just got back from walking a part of the Camino to Santiago de Compostella (315 km) all by myself. I did it and I loved it. So proud of myself!!
Anthony Turano, Another Field, Novato , CA, USAsays
If I didn’t believe something was wrong with me I would be more open to what life is offering to me to help me grow. I would be happier and more courageous in exploring my life opportunities.
I’d be a bestselling author sharing my life experiences, thoughts and feelings to help others. I’ve always been afraid because of previous criticisms from family members when I have blogged about how I feel.
Hi Tara,
Great question. It’s fall and that is the time of year people start signing up for yoga (see I’m a yoga teacher since 2005). Every year I go through self doubt and fear nobody will sign up. When I truly get to the root I realize my fear is “I’m not good enough, they don’t like me, I don’t measure up, I’m old (65), they want younger pretty”. When I feel this fear and what my thoughts think are true it causes me anxiety. But when I sit with what I am feeling, how my body reacts my brain on fire…. I know it’s not true. Things always turn, students sign up and I share the ancient practice. I tell myself what would I be if not a teacher, I guess retired and still a student myself. ✌️❤️🙏
Hi Tara,
Great question. It’s fall and that is the time of year people start signing up for yoga (see I’m a yoga teacher since 2005). Every year I go through self doubt and fear nobody will sign up. When I truly get to the root I realize my fear is “I’m not good enough, they don’t like me, I don’t measure up, I’m old (65), they want younger pretty”. When I feel this fear and what my thoughts think are true it causes me anxiety. But when I sit with what I am feeling, how my body reacts my brain on fire…. I know it’s not true. Things always turn, students sign up and I share the ancient practice. I tell myself what would I be if not a teacher, I guess retired and still a student myself. ✌️❤️🙏
Chris Soderberg, Another Field, Great Falls, MT, USAsays
Who would I be without this 50-year old fear about myself? I would be happy and free, outgoing and very social. Not afraid to be myself. I would enjoy life to the fullest and my food addiction would go by the wayside.
I would experience more peace and calm. I would find myself not staying in the grief of the past nor anxiously fretting what the future holds. I would be able to stay in the present and know that right now everything is OK.
I’d be more at ease in social situations…
I’d be in touch with and able to share with others the childlike joy and creativity that have been lying dormant in the depth of my soul…
I have no idea. I would feel less stressed, life would be more easy and I would feel free and have inner peace. I would accept myself, others and the whole word as it is.
I would have completed my studies.
I would have been an archeologist.
I would have been a better parent.
I would not have been a Pleaser.
I would know how to let go.
I’d be more effective in the world because I would trust my own perceptions and ideas enough to act on them without getting prior “approval” from others. I’d be much less of a people pleaser.
I heard this question by Tara previously “Who would I be…”. So very powerful. I shared it with a friend who also saw the power in even just considering the possibility”
Erin Doerwald, Psychotherapy, Santa Fe, NM, USAsays
This is so beautiful and useful. Used the three part practice with a client yesterday and then with myself in the middle of the night as I am struggling with a health crisis with my own 12 year old son. This is coming at just the right time. Thank you.
I would be more myself and more present with others and the situations around me. By not worrying that something is wrong with me I could free up so much mental space for the people, activities and work that I love.
Marilyn Dodge, Psychology, Virginia beach, VA, USAsays
Of course we can all use it to help heal ourselves but I have several anxious clients whom I do not want to b on medication but use self healing first.
I was a frightened child. But I’ve learned to hold my fearful self with a tender heart and a firm hand-beginning with a sport that brought fear to every practice (tower and springboard diving). From there I learned that my fearful anticipation (hitting the board, failing the dive, being injured etc etc) was an exaggerated response for self protection. It was rarely accurate, usually wrong. This repeating opportunity to challenge my fearful response was a skill I carried everywhere I travelled (interviews, changing careers, public speaking, extreme obstacle courses, bungie jumping, nepal, europe, asia, medical school, experiential trainings etc). I have learned that fear is my discerning companion but it sits in the passenger seat. It tells me to pause and do the final check before I jump. When it’s an emotional challenge, fear tells me to pause and look beneath the surface. When I stop to do so, I’m always rewarded with a deeper understanding of myself or the issue at hand. Your teachings are beautiful Tara-thank you for the gifts you bring to our attention.
I would be able to embrace creativity and connection without holding back.
A very powerful man
I wouldn’t worry about what other people think
Relaxed, free, in touch with my heart. Love
I needed to hear this!
Thank you. Your statement, “Real but not true” is so helpful.
Who would I be? It’s been so long since I’ve had a dream of who I could be. So the answer is I’m not sure. I would want to be freer. I would want to feel confidence in relating to other people. I would have greater kindness. And I am not sure exactly how I should start. Start to wake up whatever is in me to make me be who I will be.
Fear keeps me away from the things I really want to do. Fear has a function but I don’t want it to dictate me how to live my life.
Fear of not being enough, not being loved, not being capable, but I just got back from walking a part of the Camino to Santiago de Compostella (315 km) all by myself. I did it and I loved it. So proud of myself!!
If I didn’t believe something was wrong with me I would be more open to what life is offering to me to help me grow. I would be happier and more courageous in exploring my life opportunities.
I would be real.
I would not be so afraid of this period of weakness as I seek to recover from a thyroid condition
A person living his life on the edge unconcerned with whether other people liked or valued what I am doing.
I’d be a bestselling author sharing my life experiences, thoughts and feelings to help others. I’ve always been afraid because of previous criticisms from family members when I have blogged about how I feel.
I would live in deep connection with my true divine self and I would become more energized
A creative and powerful vessel for self-compassion and change through which the music of life can play.
Hi Tara,
Great question. It’s fall and that is the time of year people start signing up for yoga (see I’m a yoga teacher since 2005). Every year I go through self doubt and fear nobody will sign up. When I truly get to the root I realize my fear is “I’m not good enough, they don’t like me, I don’t measure up, I’m old (65), they want younger pretty”. When I feel this fear and what my thoughts think are true it causes me anxiety. But when I sit with what I am feeling, how my body reacts my brain on fire…. I know it’s not true. Things always turn, students sign up and I share the ancient practice. I tell myself what would I be if not a teacher, I guess retired and still a student myself. ✌️❤️🙏
Hi Tara,
Great question. It’s fall and that is the time of year people start signing up for yoga (see I’m a yoga teacher since 2005). Every year I go through self doubt and fear nobody will sign up. When I truly get to the root I realize my fear is “I’m not good enough, they don’t like me, I don’t measure up, I’m old (65), they want younger pretty”. When I feel this fear and what my thoughts think are true it causes me anxiety. But when I sit with what I am feeling, how my body reacts my brain on fire…. I know it’s not true. Things always turn, students sign up and I share the ancient practice. I tell myself what would I be if not a teacher, I guess retired and still a student myself. ✌️❤️🙏
Who would I be without this 50-year old fear about myself? I would be happy and free, outgoing and very social. Not afraid to be myself. I would enjoy life to the fullest and my food addiction would go by the wayside.
I would experience more peace and calm. I would find myself not staying in the grief of the past nor anxiously fretting what the future holds. I would be able to stay in the present and know that right now everything is OK.
I’d be more at ease in social situations…
I’d be in touch with and able to share with others the childlike joy and creativity that have been lying dormant in the depth of my soul…
I have no idea. I would feel less stressed, life would be more easy and I would feel free and have inner peace. I would accept myself, others and the whole word as it is.
I would have completed my studies.
I would have been an archeologist.
I would have been a better parent.
I would not have been a Pleaser.
I would know how to let go.
I would be able to experience inner freedom, and break the chains of negative conditioning, and unworthiness.
I would be more confident and achieve more dreams and goals.
I would be FREE!
I would stop wasting my precious life on negative thoughts and be at peace to enjoy the beautiful gift of life, of giving, of compassion and loving.
I would be a peaceful, calm, straight-shooting force
I’d be more effective in the world because I would trust my own perceptions and ideas enough to act on them without getting prior “approval” from others. I’d be much less of a people pleaser.
A stronger, happier version of myself.
I heard this question by Tara previously “Who would I be…”. So very powerful. I shared it with a friend who also saw the power in even just considering the possibility”
This is so beautiful and useful. Used the three part practice with a client yesterday and then with myself in the middle of the night as I am struggling with a health crisis with my own 12 year old son. This is coming at just the right time. Thank you.
Free, at peace, spontaneous, joyful, financially abundant, free to reach my potential.
I would write a book, have a relationship, and love unconditionally.
I would be living the love of my life
I would be another person.. a person who does what she really wants
I would be free and happy and joyful and be less concerned about protecting myself
I am 64 years old and have been in fear all my life. I find it hard to believe that this could change.
Thank you, very relevant for me😊
Be more rounded person and happier and freer.
Freedom to be everything
I would be more joyous, creative and grateful.
Who would you be without fear? That’s certainly something to ponder. I’m loving listening to you Tara and hearing your wisdom.
I would be FREE !
I would be free to do everyday things alone!! Happy with myself for being courageous! Joanne
I would be more myself and more present with others and the situations around me. By not worrying that something is wrong with me I could free up so much mental space for the people, activities and work that I love.
Of course we can all use it to help heal ourselves but I have several anxious clients whom I do not want to b on medication but use self healing first.
An adventurer!!! A dare devil!!!!!!
I would feel full!!!
playful and peaceful; responsive and active
at ease with my imperfections and choosing from the center
not reactive, avoiding, or on the sidelines
I’d be able to be more present with purpose and peace.
Without fear I would be free from bondage.
I was a frightened child. But I’ve learned to hold my fearful self with a tender heart and a firm hand-beginning with a sport that brought fear to every practice (tower and springboard diving). From there I learned that my fearful anticipation (hitting the board, failing the dive, being injured etc etc) was an exaggerated response for self protection. It was rarely accurate, usually wrong. This repeating opportunity to challenge my fearful response was a skill I carried everywhere I travelled (interviews, changing careers, public speaking, extreme obstacle courses, bungie jumping, nepal, europe, asia, medical school, experiential trainings etc). I have learned that fear is my discerning companion but it sits in the passenger seat. It tells me to pause and do the final check before I jump. When it’s an emotional challenge, fear tells me to pause and look beneath the surface. When I stop to do so, I’m always rewarded with a deeper understanding of myself or the issue at hand. Your teachings are beautiful Tara-thank you for the gifts you bring to our attention.