The other week I was at a theater show with my wife. During the play, I had to go to the restroom, but I hesitated for the longest time.
Sitting. Waiting. Squirming. Feeling like my bladder was about to explode any moment.
Why didn’t I just get up and leave?
Because I thought that I couldn’t stand up and leave during the theater performance. You see, the restroom was out the doors at the back of the auditorium, and there were about 3 staff members standing by the door. From the looks of it, it appeared that they were guarding the doors, preventing anyone from leaving. Because of this, I assumed that I had to stay in my seat until intermission (or worse, until the end of the performance).
But eventually I couldn’t hold it any longer, so I got up and walked toward the doors. (I figured I’d just push them out of my way if they tried to stop me.)
The funny thing was, no one said a single word to me. They let me leave the auditorium without any problem. The ‘barrier’ was only in my mind. In reality, there was nothing keeping me from getting up and going to the restroom – except my own thoughts.
Was there a soldier or policeman with a gun guarding the door, preventing me from leaving the room? No.
Was there a sign that said, “No using the restroom during the performance.”? No.
Is there someone or something really preventing you from starting your business, publishing your book, creating your art, or planting that church? Probably not.
Often, the barrier is only in your mind.
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