One Word that Helps Me Face My Fears and Win in Tough Times.🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Published: Wed, 07/13/22

“If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”

Martin Luther King

Rastafari, sometimes called Rastafarianism, is a religion that developed in Jamaica during the 1930s. It's classified as both a new religious movement and a social movement by scholars of religion.

Keep Moving Forward

It's 2 am, and I'm looking at some marketing numbers, and an unusual feeling of helplessness assails me. I start wondering what the fuck am I doing - a slippery slope of a question if I ever heard one. I'm putting in all this hard work, and it feels like I'm not moving the needle. I'm not usually one to beat myself up like that, but the frustration got the better of me this particular morning.

When I'm going through these periods of doubt, there's one word I keep repeating to myself to keep me grounded. It has become a rallying cry for me. A philosophy. An optimistic nod to the future.
The word is "Forward".

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We are all family here, so I don't need to tell you I have a passion for Jamaican culture. My work is full of references and memorable characters inspired by the island. Rastafari is a part of that culture that not only seeps into my work but helps define how I see the world.

Rasta can't abide by the idea of going backwards in their words or deeds. Many actively expunge the word from their vocabulary, replacing the word "backward" with the word "forward" in their speech.

Bob Marley used it in Redemption Song: "We forward in this generation Triumphantly…."

I use "Forward" as a success prompt for all my endeavours. It reminds me to face my challenges, to keep going even when it's uncomfortable and keep moving towards the prize.

We've all had the challenges that we feared would break us. We all need something to keep us strong in trying times. A reminder of why we are doing what we're doing.

It's a whisper in our ear when we're not sure of our next steps.

Forward. Ever forward.

I may not have the pace, but I'd like to think I have the consistency. And that's all that's required from us.

You won't always feel motivated, but you will keep going. You won't always have the solutions, but you know if you keep taking action and learning from your mistakes, then the answers will come. You won't always have joyful days, but your heart will sing when you're heading towards your passion.

So Anton, what does moving forward look like in the real world. Simply put, It's about finding the lesson in any obstacle you face. If you can come away with an answer to your challenges, then you're growing. And if you're growing, you're moving forward.

"Forward ever, backward never."

Rasta Philosophy

I'll leave you with the words of Rocky Balboa.

"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place, and I don't care how tough you are; it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!"