I've noticed an emerging theme in a lot of the conversations I've had with friends, and in movies. While we often compartmentalize the areas of our lives into things like career, financial security, health and relationships, our ability to figure these out is influenced universally by fear, change and risk.
Fear is easy enough to identify, as it's the emotional component to the other two. Fear is a crippling emotion that prevents us from acting on so many things. On the flip side, it also goes a long way toward preventing us from doing really stupid things.
Change is the inevitable force of nature that can push us out of our comfort zone, or drop us into it. It's a force that we often think of as entirely external, and fear sometimes keeps us from realizing that change can also be a choice.
Risk is the odds that you may suffer loss or failure by your action. People often talk about a "calculated risk," as if there's some other kind. Fear can stop us from taking risks. Change is frequently a result of taking a risk, whether it's good or bad.
These three constructs together can keep us stagnant. At some point, at least I hope, they push you to a point where you absolutely must move forward, oddly enough because of fear that you'll miss something, overlook a positive change or pass up a risk that will never be available again.
Despite the negatives associated with these phenomena, they are indeed positive motivators when you choose to make them positive. It seems to get harder and harder in your life when you feel a comfort in your life, regardless of the fact that you might be missing something better. That's one of the things I like about having a lot of younger friends, that most seem better able to cope with fear, change and risk, and make their lives better because of it. It's funny how the people you inspire can in turn inspire you that way.
Where am I going with this? Just that you need a reminder from time to time to turn fear, change and risk into positive forces that will improve your life. Living in fear isn't living at all.