Chapter 1: The Power of a Single Thought

The concept is remarkably straightforward.

They often say that a single decision can alter the course of your life entirely. However, that decision is essentially a thought—more specifically, a collection of thoughts. It involves the choice to change your thinking and truly commit to one particular belief. That belief is: "I can."

While this notion may appear simplistic, it becomes clear once you've made it past that initial hurdle. The journey to reach this realization can be quite lengthy.

Recently, I found myself reflecting on my life from five to seven years ago. I remembered being labeled as 'brave' by others and genuinely believing that I possessed that quality. I set out to analyze what factors contributed to my bravery and allowed me to confront fears that had recently overwhelmed me.

At first, I wondered if my previous lack of awareness had played a role. If one is unaware of their fear, can they truly be afraid? Who is the individual experiencing that fear? Without the ability to name and identify these feelings, do they even exist?

Psychologists would argue that they do exist; the body registers fear even when the mind tries to escape it.

Did I err in engaging in therapy, becoming adept at identifying my emotions only to later strive to forget them? This question troubled me deeply, as my faith in the therapeutic process extended beyond this specific dilemma. My entire worldview rested upon these principles.

Does this imply that everything I held true was misguided? If so, what are the implications? It suggests that yet another belief, which had evolved into an ideology, might be an illusion. After numerous shifts in perspective, it began to feel as if nothing was genuinely real.

While I could delve into the complexities of this argument, I must assert that philosophical musings do not directly address the core inquiry: "Why am I so frightened?"

What, then, made me brave in the past? Is it merely a matter of knowledge and awareness, or is there something more profound at play?

I often seek deep answers, probing for explanations that transcend surface-level understanding, which leads me to overlook the obvious. Recently, I noticed how engrossed I have become in my internal thoughts, to the extent that the physical world seems increasingly distant and unreal.

I have made a conscious effort to reconnect with reality, and in doing so, I stumbled upon a revelation. It wasn't a deliberate search; rather, it occurred unexpectedly when I wasn't looking. Perhaps there is truth to the saying that "what you seek is also seeking you."

The answer was right there, floating in my consciousness, waiting for me to acknowledge it.

Finding this insight wasn't a deliberate thought process; it wasn't like this article, filled with probing questions. Instead, it was a spontaneous decision on a seemingly ordinary day to go out dancing after what I had perceived as a long and exhausting day.

I thought to myself, "What if I can still go out and enjoy myself? Perhaps I'm not as fatigued as I believe." After all, I hadn't engaged in much physical activity that day, so maybe my tiredness was largely mental.

Honestly, those thoughts rushed through my mind, and before I could delve into 'why' or 'what if', I simply acted. I silenced my inner dialogue filled with 'buts' and 'what ifs'. There was no room for discussion; I was determined to go.

The following morning, I awoke to a different sensation in my room and a renewed awareness of my body. It felt as though a part of me had returned. I became acutely aware of my physicality and the surfaces around me—something I often hear about in meditation and yoga classes, but this time it felt authentic.

In that moment, I recognized that my inner debate stemmed partly from laziness and partly from fear. While it is a part of me, I choose how much attention to give it, and in doing so, I invest my energy into it.

That day, I decided to disengage. I acted on instinct and discovered that my actions weren't chaotic, as I had assumed they would be. Instead, I found myself fully present, effortlessly so.

A sequence of events and decisions led me to spontaneously choose to take a cold plunge in a lake that weekend. This decision was impulsive and not something I pondered for long. The energy surrounding that choice was adventurous because I approached it with that mindset.

I set aside my fears and laziness, and at the onset of that internal conversation, I simply told myself, "I can."

From that moment onward, my thoughts shifted to excitement and practical considerations—not the reasons I couldn't, but rather the ways in which I could make it happen.

In the days following that experience, I shared it with various people, and their responses surprised me. They all remarked, "You are so brave."

That's when it struck me. I had returned to that feeling I had experienced five to seven years ago—the very essence I had been seeking. I rediscovered the 'fearless' version of myself that I thought I had lost.

In that moment, I also remembered that I had never been truly brave or fearless. It wasn't about those qualities at all. It was about believing that "I can."

Whether it involved applying for a job for which I felt underqualified or moving across the globe alone, I genuinely believed in my ability to tackle difficult tasks. Furthermore, I believed I could transform these challenges into enjoyable adventures.

And indeed, they were.

For more articles on similar topics, visit the Know Why publication on Medium. For insightful video content, check out the Know Why YouTube channel.

Chapter 2: Embracing Change and Fear

In the video "One Thought Can Change You Forever," explore how a single shift in your mindset can transform your perspective and life.

"Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life" delves into the profound impact that altering your thought patterns can have on your overall well-being.