As noted in “Hostage”/21, we may be being HELD HOSTAGE by all sorts of things hidden in the background thwarting our efforts and holding us back …
… but it also helps to understand that we are likely being HELD BACK by some things that are actually “for our own good” … like by family, community and rules and regulations that keep us from doing potential harm to ourselves and significant others.
One of the most insidious HOSTAGE TAKERS is our BRAIN! Consider:
- Ignorance : Not knowing what you don’t know and not CARING to know
- Disdainfulness: Not “bowing” to any customs, expectations or authorities
- Immaturity
- Unrealistic Expectations
- Unfounded Assumptions
- Unwarranted Entitlements
- HUBRIS
- Bullying /Belittling Others
- An unresolved “Grievance” – either real or imagined
- An untethered Pleasure Center
- Making POOR CHOICES
- Seeking Immediate Gratification
- Making Excuses
- Self-Aggrandizing Contrivances and Machinations
- Addiction /Degenerative Habits
Other basic HOSTAGE TAKERS:
- Lack of “discretionary” money /\ Affordable Housing
- Lack of a JOB
- Lack of MARKETABLE SKILLS
- Lack of ACCOUNTABILITY / Lack of TRUSTWORTHINESS
- Lack of opportunity
- Lack of Credentials / Certification / “Agency”
- Lack of key CONNECTIONS to significant others
- Lack of reliable transportation
- Bad Habits and Unwellness – both Physical and Mental…
But to be “Held Hostage” by a DREAM with a sense of MISSION / PURPOSE / PASSION is not to be held hostage at all, but to be totally freed to pursue such with reckless abandon! Very few are going to stand in the way of someone willing to risk anything and everything to do wonders in the world. And more than a few will even SUPPORT and FACILITATE the enterprise!
In his book, “FLOW”, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi pointed out that immersion in a DREAM / MISSION / PURPOSE can induce a heightened – transcendent – state of consciousness (“FLOW”) through which one can realize unhinged creativity, productivity and fulfillment.
Likewise, to be “Held Hostage” by a commitment to EXCELLENCE, ACCOUNTABILITY, and TRUSTWORTHINESS is a formula for “unstoppability”.
Grandest of all is to find oneself
“A prisoner of HOPE”
(John Wesley)
See our previous post “Held Hostage”
