Take Control of Fear and Live with Love
Mark Nepo has moved and inspired millions of readers and seekers all over the world with his bestselling books. Beloved as a poet, teacher, and storyteller, Mark has been called "one of the finest spiritual guides of our time," "a consummate storyteller," and "an eloquent spiritual teacher." He sat down with Maria to teach the Heal Squad how to take control of fear and why leading with love will not only make life more enjoyable, but will improve our relationships. And lucky for us, in this interview, he reveals practices that we can be doing daily that will help us to lean more into the spirit of love!
Keep the light aliveAt one point, only 10% of the European population was literate, but they kept literacy alive for 300 years. Whatever dark fold of time we are in, if we are awake, we must keep the literacy of the heart alive.
Your fear is not all that there is in life When you are going through something scary, it doesn’t mean that what you are going through is insignificant, but it doesn’t make it everything. When Mark was diagnosed with cancer, it helped him to remember that life was still going on around him - babies were being born and celebrations were being had.
Be the one gesture of goodWe have to be kind because it is those gestures that make us more whole, plus, that one gesture can be what gets someone to tomorrow. We have that power.
You can love people differentlyYou love a dove differently than a bear - you need more distance from the bear, and that can be the same with people. If you don’t agree with their choices but still love them, you can love them from afar.
Self-interest and common interest are one in the sameIf you take good care of your soul and life, it will only benefit others. Fear has made people think that self-interest will save them when in reality, love affirms that we cannot do it alone. We need loved ones around us to make us feel our best which in turn, will make us more decent in our day-to-day interactions with the world.
Try these 2 daily ritualsEvery morning Mark does 2 things: opens his blinds to let light into the bedroom and does something for someone he loves. That can be as simple as making breakfast for his wife or taking his dog for a walk. The key is to be very present with it. If you have a thousand things racing through your mind while opening the blinds, start over, and do it again. Don’t make it a habit, but a ritual that you look forward to every day.
Listen to the full interview here:
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