What's Really Standing Between You And Your Purpose?

I stepped into the boxing ring – for the first time in my life. Face-to-face with a champion boxer. He had invited me to step into the ring and spar with him. I wasn't ready. "Do you want to do this?" he asked. "NO!" I said (Of course I don't want to do this. I WANTED to get out of the ring, take off my gloves, and sit down and have an ice-cream.) I stood my ground, stayed in the ring. And said to him… "I NEED to do this!" Why was I in the ring? I was at a one-day Men's rite of passage event. I'd decided to go, because I felt a call to be there. I needed to experience something that day, but I wasn't sure what. The unknown – that was part of the adventure. An experience that would take me out of my comfort zone. And so it began. I had no idea what I was doing, but I gave it everything I had. I don't know how long we were in there for, but it felt longer than it really was. Time slows down when someone keeps trying to punch you, it felt like it was never going to end. I was exhausted, but what kept me going was two things… the cheers from the crowd – the other men watching, strangers that I had only met that day had now become brothers – watching & cheering me on, wanting the best for me, wanting to see me win and believing that I could do it. The other thing that kept me going was a mentor or guide, who knew the path, and believed in me, and wouldn't let me give up or stop. When I wanted to quit, he wouldn't let me. I learnt some valuable lessons that day in the ring. I realised – I wasn't really fighting another man. I was fighting myself. The small voice that wants to play it safe and stay comfortable. I learnt that when pressure comes, I have what it takes to succeed. There's a level or part of me that I don't access often enough. That when I felt like I was failing, other men saw that I was succeeding, or were impressed that I showed up, and believed in me. That I have people in my life who want to see me win. That I am courageous. After the fight, man after man after man, approached me to encourage me. Their feedback was consistent and overwhelming – "Your heart and courage is inspiring." I don't know who needs to hear this – but if you're someone who isn't satisfied with your status quo (what you're currently experiencing) – nothing will change if you insist on staying comfortable. Change is outside of your comfort zone. Do you want to change? Do you need to change? What is that you don't want, but you know you need?