My husband and I were hiking up a mountain in Acadia National Park this morning. The last half mile to the peak was very icy. I slipped numerous times, whereas my husband slipped only once. Initially, I found this perplexing. I was much more fearful of the ice, and therefore more cautious, slower. We’re equally coordinated and fit, and our eyesight is equally bad without corrective lenses, so I couldn’t chalk up my instability to greater clumsiness or poorer vision.

Then suddenly I understood. My fear actually interfered with my clear judgment and ability to accurately perceive the ice. It made me less steady and balanced. It made me fall. I realized that a bit of realistic caution (enough to avoid recklessness) is helpful; too much becomes irrational, debilitating, and counterproductive.

What does this have to do with MOGO living? Fear may inhibit many of us from making MOGO choices. We may fear we won’t have enough if we’re too generous. We may fear ostracism if we make choices that depart from the mainstream. We may fear inconvenience. But because the MOGO principle asks us to make choices that do the most good for ourselves, other people, animals, and the environment, it requires that we maintain a healthy, realistic awareness so that we balance the MOGO principle in the most positive manner for all. MOGO need never be frightening, but rather exciting and inviting because it opens us up to the good we can achieve in our own lives and for all those whose lives we affect. With MOGO as a guiding principle, we won’t slip or fall but instead will take more conscious and deliberate steps on our path.

~ Zoe

Photo courtesy of mad paul.

Filed under: MOGO (Most Good) | Tagged: fear, MOGO | 1 Comment »