“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness…. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth… that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.”

~~ from The Reinvention of Work, by Matthew Fox

As you embark on Step #3 of your journey to radically reduce F.E.A.R.’s influence you approach a critical juncture. It’s the moment in the Matrix when Orpheus gave Neo the choice between the blue pill, taking him back to the life he knew, or the red pill, a journey into the unknown. Now it’s your turn. This is the time when you will communicate to the universe, or as Goethe prefers, providence, whether you are serious about your efforts to take F.E.A.R. on. If you draw back, ineffectiveness and a missed opportunity are the result. On the other hand, if you say “all in” your decision will set in motion unforeseen support from “providence”. This is the promise handed down over the centuries but not until YOU make the leap will it be discovered for yourself. The red pill it is.

Your Step #3 practice is Commitment fortified by Faith. Without this practice, or you might say decision, the other steps are destined to fade and disappear. You know the excitement of new projects, goals, and relationships. But the real work starts when the glow of newness fades and the reality of letting go of the familiar sets in. This is where the men are separated from the boys, the serious from the fantasizers and yes, the committed from the hesitant.

Where will you find the rigor and the will required to practice Step #1 (Attention and Awareness) that is essential if F.E.A.R.’s “negation of the positive” is to be unmasked. In commitment and faith. How will you consistently find the courage in Step #2 to resist F.E.A.R. based choices and Do Something Different when it would be so easy to succumb to the comfortable? By standing on your  commitment and faith.

Your Step #3 practice is to commit each day to the practices that will change your life and not let the demons of your lesser nature be the designer of what you do and who you are.  This commitment is built on a faith that when you do the right thing, when you attempt to live in accordance with right values, when you are true to your deepest urgings, you will be living fully in integrity and good things will happen as a result. What those things are you cannot fully know. That is the mystery. You show up, commit to do your part and have faith all will be well. Then let the universe do the heavy lifting and remember to say thank you.

How will you know if you are practicing Commitment and Faith? The evidence will be in your actions. What actions? Why Steps 1 & 2 of course! Are you paying attention, raising your awareness and doing something different from your old familiar patterns? Are you “babystepping” your way to real change one decision at a time? Your commitment is your stake in the ground, your pledge, your declaration that you are in for the long haul. Not for this week, or this month but for a lifetime. Your lifetime!

Call your supportive friend and let them know you are committing to live from faith not F.E.A.R. Tell them what that commitment means with regard to your daily actions. Make your commitment with conviction and humility not bravado. Nice work. I think you’ve got F.E.A.R.’s attention.

As Goethe stated long ago “ … boldness has genius, power and magic in it..”. Your diligent work will be celebrated. Pay attention. Your magic is coming!