Moving forward can be hard sometimes. We can get tied to our past making it difficult to take the next step into uncharted territory. It feels safer and easier when you’re familiar with the terrain even when it causes you pain. We are creatures of habit that find comfort being in that cart that remains fixed to the track so we don’t have to think too much. Thoughts may become embedded in the tracks and grooves of our brain and flow through us without our permission all the time. These thoughts may remind us of our worth or tell us we are not enough. They tell us to stay steadfast or tell us to run in fear. These grooved paths may be bordered by light or drain the light out of us.

Thought grooves originate from our past and how we chose to handle experiences or how we were taught to handle experiences. Patterns of thoughts repeatedly reinforced by us or by others determine the depths of our grooves. Humans tend to fall in line looking for the same paths to make sense of our environment. This is great when the thoughts are true and we believe them. Give me the paths of “You Are Worthy”, “You Can Do This” and “You Are Amazing” all day long. These routes are lined with angels of faith that illuminate the path for us and guide us to our next life adventure. The path of fear and self doubt are slippery, dark and painful. When we travel these grooved paths, we often tumble down the rabbit hole of shame littered with anxiety, worry, over-thinking, sadness and regret. It’s tiring, lonely, all-consuming and takes our focus away from all the possibility and new trailheads beckoning us all the time. It’s too dark on this path to see the truth of our potential and all that could be.

I want to install stop signs at the entrances of all the paths that only reinforce the lies, darkness and pain embedded in my brain. But to do so, I have to explore my past to learn why I choose this path despite knowing it doesn’t ever serve me. It means I practice mercy, understanding and forgiveness starting with myself. It means I’m going to need a good breakfast, a compass, band aids, a strong body and mind to climb out of the deep grooves of doubt that I traveled on for way too long. It may feel like climbing up a mountain in high heels for a bit, but I know there will be hiking boots at the summit waiting for my arrival. The angels of faith leave them there to provide comfort for the weary travelers who are ready to create new paths of thoughts and behaviors. There is always enough light, encouragement, love, and provisions on the well-grooved path called, “You Are Capable”.

Let go of your past so you can keep your focus on what’s going on right in front of you. Mind the stop signs and pump the brakes to avoid deepening the grooves of self-doubt. Hold hands with others in jubilation and anticipation of where the paths of light may lead you both. Use your hands to wipe away the sweat of those who just climbed out of the deep grooves of darkness. Keep an eye out for things that knock you off track and pepper them with the bug spray called, “I am Capable”. Keep it moving, rest once in awhile and use the map of truth that leads to amazing lookouts. Never jump the track when you’re on the well-worn, deeply grooved path of positivity. It may be hard to stay on track sometimes as we can be easily enticed by our darker, habitual path of lies. Stand guard and remind yourself that the hiking boots of light have the ability to keep you grounded in the present and lead you to amazing places. The angels of faith are waiting on you with more provisions to keep you going and are ready to celebrate your arrival.

Questions/activities to ponder or good journal prompts!

1. Think of a thought or behavior groove that you get caught up in that does not serve you. Why is it so difficult to break away or jump that track?
2. Fear and doubt are dark paths. How has this path kept you from seeing your full potential?
3. Do you travel the path of “You are Capable”? What can you do to regularly stay on this path? What knocks you off this course?
4. How will you practice the habit of installing “STOP” signs at the entrances of those paths that bring about fear and doubt? Is there a mantra you might recite when you start to travel into darkness?
5. Have you ever “hiked a mountain in high heels” but kept it moving? What encouraged you to keep going?