I met a dying man in the ER on a dating app. This is what I discovered about bravery.
“You believe. You have these philosophical values where you just believe. You have answers and you trust them.”
Hey fam,
Once during the peak of the 2020 pandemic, I met a guy on Hinge who was dying in the hospital. Dramatic, I know.
Also, I'm teaching the free workshop, Master Your Confidence, again this coming Tuesday at 11 am EST.
He arrived at the ER and was facing a sudden, life-threatening illness. He was alone. I happened to text him.
For several hours, we texted back and forth.
He confessed that he needed to change his life.
Quit his job.
Stop drinking.
Turn over a new leaf.
I sat and listened.
This man was a stranger. I do not remember his name. But I do remember telling him, you’re not alone.
You see, I grew up with alcoholics and addicts.
Addiction painted the first two thirds of my life. Now, years later, I sat with a dying man scared, alone, and confessing his struggle.
How was this possible?
It made all the sense in the world we met that night under those conditions.
I had a gift and experience to share.
I was following an inner pull.
It's moments of serendipity like these that fuel my confidence.
My bravery and confidence come from a deep sense of purpose.
I don’t rely on myself.
I tune into my inner voice.
Then, I build myself up to the vision.
Not out of lack but out of relentless conviction.
I trust my inner calling more than anyone or anything. It’s these very calls that have led me to every single great accomplishment in my life.
From working with the United Nations to studying French Gospel in Paris to speaking at TEDx stages, it’s an inner calling that drives me.
My inner knowing has also moved me through challenging times including abuse, divorce, family addiction, and trauma.
It’s the light within me that lets me see the light in my life, in all circumstances.
Following your inner calling is a strategy. Make no mistake.
If you want the bravery to do the unthinkable, remember that you matter.
Remember who you truly are.
Remember that you have this beautiful gift, a secret mission of sorts, to figure out, unravel and share with the world.
This is not egoic.
It isn't arrogance.
It’s simple, plain, and generous truth.
If you accept this truth, you’ll do everything in your power* to reach the people, places, and things receptive to your impact.
When you accept this truth, you’ll soon realize that serving others is like cracking the code to a secret puzzle deep within you.
As you help them, you grow in confidence.
You grow in strength.
You grow in inner wisdom.
You grow in your recognition of your power.
You begin to walk like you got something to say (because you do). And more importantly, you start to say it. In word, deed, and energy.
You move with even greater power when you realize that you matter enough to make a difference.
So map out the bigger picture.
Remember why you’re here and then build your life around you to substantiate and validate that knowing.
I always believed in a deeper purpose, even if I didn’t know how to yet create it.
Building it is half the fun anyway!
What, I wonder, do you believe?
Lalita
P.S. "You changed my life," said a student from this week's free workshop. So, we're teaching the free workshop, Master Your Confidence, again on Tuesday, November 9th at 11 AM EST/8 AM PST. Learn more and register here.
*True power always honors yourself and others. It builds up. It never diminishes. It never forces.