Almost “there,” wherever “there” is for you, is a dangerous place to be. Almost there means that you are almost out of resources; almost out of energy; almost out of faith, hope and the belief that you will make it to wherever you are heading.
Almost there means you have used everything you know, every trick in the book and, you are still not quite sure you will get what you expect or desire.
Almost there means most, if not all of the people who started with you have fallen to the wayside. Those who are still with you are just as weary, tired, frustrated and doubtful as you are in any given moment. They are of very little help to you and you can be of even less help to them.
In fact, you are really getting on each other’s nerves because you are almost there. Almost there is where everything you know is tested; where everything you believe is stretched to the limit. This is where faith is required; trust is demanded and perseverance is the only option.
Almost there is where the nights are sleepless; the days are taxing and every moment brings the possibility of failure or a request for something more that you simply do not have to give. If you are now or have ever been almost there, you know that tears help you, prayers hold you and your tenacious refusal to give up is the only thing that keeps you going.
You also know that when you are almost there it is a hard and dangerous place to be.
When you have just started out, moving toward your dream, a vision or the next big step in your life, you can change your mind at any moment. If you survey the landscape only to find that there is too much at risk, too many obstacles to overcome, too much required of you, it is easy to back-peddle smoothly without anyone really noticing.
You can tell yourself that it is not the right time or, that you are not prepared or, that you should wait for this or that, him or her or them to line up before you begin the journey. This is what is known as the “I tried” syndrome. No one can fault you for trying, right?
However, when you are almost there you cannot get away with such flimsy excuses and rationales. You have invested too much time, energy and resources of your own and from others. You have told too many people, some who support you, others who are just watching and waiting to see. You cannot let them see you falter, fall or fail. Your image and ego are at stake. You simply will not allow yourself to fail . . . publicly.
If you find yourself halfway there, it means that you have gained as much as you can lose by pulling out now. It’s always wise to cut your losses, right? Halfway there means you gave it your best and for whatever reason the deck was stacked against you. People who were there can give a glowing testimony about your efforts and, even though you are right back where you started, you are no worse for the wear and tear. No heat. No judgment.
Yet if you are almost there then you have given too much, given up too much, sacrificed too much and suffered too much to cut and run. You must, even though you don’t know how you will make it, see this thing all the way to the end. Where is the end? Who knows! Your goal is to get there, in one piece, even if your mouth is dry and parched, your knees are skinned and your ego is bruised.
Almost there means if you must do it alone, you will. If you show up broke, broken and hungry, you will show up.
Almost there means you have taken the words of Eminem personally. It means . . . you’ve only got one shot! You WILL NOT miss your chance to blow . . . the naysayers out of the water. This is why it is so dangerous.
When you are almost there the deceptive intelligence of the ego is whispering, no, screaming in your ear – STOP! STOP NOW! THIS IS NOT GOING TO WORK! YOU WILL NOT MAKE IT!
The good news is that being almost there means you have mastered the art of ignoring that inner voice of discouragement.
The bad news is that once you master the inner critic, the people around start saying the same thing. In fact, they want to know if you are crazy? Maybe you are. Maybe you are not. Could be. No one knows for sure.
The truth is that when you are almost there, everything dark and ugly and desperate finds its way to your address, props its feet up on your kitchen table and dares you to ignore, dismiss or deny it. Herein lies the danger of being almost there.
In this most sacred time of fulfilling your destiny, growing in your power and realizing your dreams, that which is closest to you, can and more often than not, will turn on you. It will seem like those things and people that matter most to you go crazy, become dysfunctional and demand from you what you have not to give just because you are almost there.
Can’t they see? Don’t they know? You are almost there and if they would just hang in with you a little while longer, the victory will be so sweet. NEWS FLASH! They cannot see! They do not know! It is none of their business! It is your life, your business.
It would serve you best to refuse to be distracted by the programs, conditions, beliefs, contract, covenants, agreements, historical patterns and limiting perceptions of reality!
Almost there means nothing and no one can be given permission to distract you. Almost there means you are being called higher, higher to single focused, bold, courageous commitment to that thing that is calling you from your heart.
Almost there means that you hold a commitment within yourself, for yourself, that there is where you will be no matter what it costs.
Trust me when I say, almost there is a dangerous place to be and, it is the place you must go if you are to fulfill your destiny. If you don’t believe me, just ask anyone who has been there and done it. There are many of us.
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About Iyanla Vanzant:
Iyanla Vanzant is the best-selling author of five books on self-empowerment, personal growth and spiritual healing. As the founder and executive director of the Inner Visions Spiritual Life Maintenance Network, she conducts workshops, seminars and lectures nationally. Drawing from her own experiences of family dysfunction, abuse, and poverty, Iyanla encourages us all to look at ourselves, laugh at ourselves and then take the necessary steps to heal ourselves. Her practical message is based on the principles of universal law, self-determination and the power of Spirit. You can learn more about her work at www.innervisionsworldwide.com.
Iyanla has recently appeared several times during Oprah’s Lifeclass webcast segments. You can view the classes here: http://www.oprah.com/oprahs-lifeclass/oprahs-lifeclass.html
Iyanla has a new show, set to appear on the Oprah Winfrey Network, called “Iyanla, Fix My Life!”. To learn more about it and apply to be on Iyanla’s show and have her help you, please visit http://www.oprah.com/ownshow/index.html?team_type=HarpoStudios
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Written by Iyanla
Iyanla Vanzant, accomplished author, inspirational speaker, talk show host and living testament to the value in life’s valleys and the power of acting on faith, goes behind closed doors and deep inside people’s lives for emotional, riveting conversations in the new hit series- Iyanla: Fix My Life
Iyanla has had a unique life filled with many personal struggles, which she has overcome and used to become stronger. Now, she’s back, helping people fix their lives, using her past to help others’ futures. Secrets will be revealed, truths will be uncovered and emotions will come out as Iyanla teaches us how to pull back the curtain on what is broken in our lives.
Iyanla: Fix My Life is produced by Harpo Studios. Join the conversation on Twitter using #FixMyLife
