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We Need Not Be A Cowardly Lion

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty 0575737

Cowardly LionIn the 1939 classic movie the Wizard of Oz, the three characters with Dorothy are presented towards the end symbols for their afflictions. A diploma for the brain with the Scarecrow, a ticking heart for the Tinman, and one of my favorite gifts, the medal for the Cowardly Lion.

    We Need Not Be A Cowardly Lion.

In real estate and other "producing" occupations, awards are given for various achievements, and show we "pushed through the fear" and performed better or at a higher level than our peers for that particular month or year perhaps. Symbols boost our ego but that overcoming fear comes from within.

In combat situations, they say the soldier, Marine, airmen, or sailor it's not that they are "not afraid." They are just coping with the fear, pushing through it, dealing with it. Where does that ability to overcome fear come from again? It comes from within. Sometimes you will surprise yourself when you push through fear. Sometimes you are just mad enough at the fear and yourself you plow through it like a brick wall. Overcoming fear is not easy sometimes, because think of panic. That is like a paralyzing fear. Much of what we fear like worry, never comes to pass. This is a good thing. There are real fears though in our lives, do not deny this like with job concerns, health issues, relationship problems, fears of the bad track family members are on that is out of your control, financial straits, etc. But sometimes the fear serves a good purpose in a cleansing manner and gets us out of our comfort zones, and allows us to "transcend" to something better.

Think of yourself as the baby bird on the branch with the Mama bird on the same twig encouraging you to jump off and fly. You refuse with your stubborn self. The Mama bird instinctively keeps pecking at your little clawed feet tightly holding on to your branch. FINALLY the pain is so great, you overcome this fear, and leap off, surprising yourself flapping your wings, and voila, you are flying.

Finding courage, overcoming fear is all a part of life where we have so much potential within. I leave you with this quote at the bottom from Marianne Williamson whom I have always loved about our potential, and our unlimited, sometimes untapped power within.

Do not be a cowardly lion, but get out there in the world and ROAR!!

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

 

Comments (65)

Regina P. Brown
MBA Broker Consultants - Carlsbad, CA
M.B.A., Broker, Instructor

Gary, love that photo from the Wizard of Oz.... hey you look kind of like a courageous lion with your beard!!  LOL

Apr 18, 2010 10:40 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Gary, there is a Lion in all of us, we just need to open the cage and let him out!

Apr 18, 2010 11:13 AM
Paige Walker
Paige Walker - Pineville, LA
Real Estate Guru - Alexandria Pineville LA

Gary thanks so much! Great post - I read a little Tony Robbins influence in it ( I love Tony Robbins ).

Thanks for sharing and soar with the Eagles! - Paige

Apr 18, 2010 01:48 PM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Gary - Nicely done, as usual.  I love that quote, too.  It's a powerful reminder.  Thank you for that.

Apr 18, 2010 03:52 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

I love that quote, and had not seen it in some time.  Thank you for brining it to the forefront of my memory.

Apr 18, 2010 03:54 PM
Terry Chenier
Homelife Glenayre Realty - Mission, BC

Gary,

You absolutely can't succeed in this business with out overcoming fear and stepping out of your comfort zone.

Apr 18, 2010 05:38 PM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566

I like the book "Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway." I repeat that to myself really often in this business.

Apr 18, 2010 09:00 PM
Christopher Watters
Watters International Realty - Austin, TX
Austin Realtor (512-829-8000)

What a great quote. I'm sharing this on my facebook wall. Incredible positive affirmation to make everyday is this quote!

Apr 19, 2010 12:00 AM
Damon Gettier
Damon Gettier & Associates, REALTORS- Roanoke Va Short Sale Expert - Roanoke, VA
Broker/Owner ABRM, GRI, CDPE

Gary, I am fresh back from a well deserved vacation and aai am ready to stretch my comfort level.

Apr 19, 2010 09:44 AM
Jarrett Wing
Shasta Lake, CA

This post was timed perfectly for me.  Thanks.

 

Jen Wing

Apr 19, 2010 11:28 AM
Jen Wing
JPW Field Inspections - Chico, CA
Field Inspections Since 2007

Sorry, I was logged in as my husband.  :)

 

Jen Wing

Apr 19, 2010 11:30 AM
Linda Lohman
Fonville Morisey Realty - Cary, NC
Former Teacher/Broker

Gary,

You always have something profound to say...thanks.

Apr 19, 2010 12:21 PM
Sharon Paxson
Sharon Paxson, RealtorĀ® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Real Estate

Gary - great quote, and I appreciate that you always have something of substance to share and that causes one to reflect!

Apr 19, 2010 01:04 PM
Lydia Puller, Realtor
Vanguard Properties - San Francisco, CA
Homes for Sale in San Francisco, Marin & East Bay

I think that in this market and sales in general it takes a lot of courage. Courage to ask for business, courage to say no to your clients, courage to stand up for yourself and courage to do the things that most people wouldnt do in order to get business.

Apr 19, 2010 02:44 PM
Whitney Peddy
de Luxe Homes & Estates - Fort Worth, TX

Great analogy.

Apr 19, 2010 02:58 PM
LLoyd Nichols
Premier Florida Realty of SWFL - Fort Myers, FL
Southwest Florida Homes By The Sea

The only thing to fear is fear itself.

Apr 20, 2010 03:48 AM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Gary, Congratulations on this feature.  Well worth the read and the quote is awesome.  The Cowardly Lion was my favorite character in the movie. We must be bold and courageous in this business for sure and in life.

Apr 20, 2010 01:50 PM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

I think I'll print the quote and mount it over my computer.

Apr 20, 2010 01:54 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Gary,

Very worthy post for a feature! Congratulations!! Mary is right the quote is awesome and the post was definitely worth the read..thanks for the inspiration!

Apr 21, 2010 12:18 AM
Trey Thurmond
BCR Realtors - College Station, TX
College Station , Texas Homes

Another one of your terrfic inspirational posts Gary.
Keep them coming.

Apr 21, 2010 04:38 PM