The following is a copy form my Monday Morning Inspiration newsletter from Tools To Life. It resonated with me this morning and I wanted to pass it on. Have a great day!

There are times in our life where we reach a chasm. We find ourselves at the edge of a gap between where we are and getting to that next level. We know we want to be on the other side. We can see it and yet we are standing still at the edge staring down and the gap between where we are and where we want to be. Even though the distance between our ledge and the ledge of where we want to be is not beyond our capabilities, we don’t jump. We could if we commit ourselves to jump from one side to the other without falling into the gap. Yet, we stand there frozen.

At those times, instead of taking that leap, we start backing away from the ledge. We let our fear and self doubt take over. We let the comfort of what we know dominate over what could be and what we wish for truly in our hearts. As we back up we fall into our old circumstances and behavior. Even though we have worked hard to get away from those circumstances and or behavior, it is what we know and what we are comfortable with. Then, in our minds we see the retreat as failure.

What we do not recognize is that backing up for a moment is how we create success. Backing up allows us two advantages, we can confirm that we do not want to live on this side of the chasm. Think of it as a parting taste of what was. Even more than that last taste, think of it as what is needed to truly get to the other side, because in fact what you are doing is backing up so that you can take a running start and clear that gap with ease. So there is no failure, only backing up to take a running start, because failure, if you insist on using that word, is what is needed to create success. Without failure there is no success, it is what’s needed to get that running start to take that leap.

So don’t be afraid of backing up, or once again, I know you want to say fail. Failure is part of success. The idea though, is not to back up too far. If you do, once you take that running start you will be worn out before you reach the chasm to leap, and you will stay stuck until you regain your energy. You have to recognize that you are backing up and you have to stop and commit to moving forward with your life.

Once you take that run towards the edge, one of three things will happen. There are those that the fear will take over and they will stop well short of the edge. There are those who will try and stop but wait to long and fall into the gap. They fall into worse circumstances, not because they could not move forward, but because they were consumed with doubt once they jumped. Then there are those who commit and take that leap of faith and easily make to the other side.

The more you fear the gap the bigger the gap becomes in

your mind. That is just your perception, the gap never changes in size. Crossing the gap, if you commit, you can always make it, but your fear controls how you see it.

Commit today to moving forward. Believe in yourself and in the life you want to create. The life you want is on the other side of the chasm. Are you going to jump or stay stuck on this side? Take a leap of faith and break free. It is in those moments when you leap that you are truly free. There you are in the air, and it seems as that time for a moment gets suspended. Your senses are aware of everything going on and you feel fully alive. You are hyper focused on the approaching ledge and landing safely on the other side. It is that moment that you truly leave the past behind as your mind becomes clear of everything that was holding you back. It is in those moments that you become truly connected to your purpose.

Your purpose is always to move forward in life. Your purpose is not to avoid the leap by burying yourself in the safety of routine. Your purpose is not avoiding life in front of a TV or computer or electronic device. Your purpose is not escaping life with alcohol, drugs, food, sex or other. Your purpose is moving forward creating more, living more, feeling more and being alive. You cannot be connected to purpose staying stuck on this side of the chasm. Take that leap and feel alive. Land on the other side and leave the past behind. Don’t fear falling back as it is just you getting ready to take a running start. Start running and take that leap, that leap of faith.

-Devlyn Steele