Success and happiness are about love. Here is how I know.

Several months ago I was having dinner with my wife. I always dream and talk about what I am meant to do… and never do. She hit me right between in the gut with this statement, “What are you afraid of? Do you think everyone will stop loving you if you fail?” Wow!!!

I played tough and said, “No.” Inside my mind was saying, “Yes.” That was it. I was afraid others would not love me if I attempted my dream and failed.

Over the past few months I have been ponder that statement and processing my thoughts. Did I believe my mind or did I believe my mouth? My mind held the key to unlocking my talents and it held the key to unlocking my mental jail, the one that has kept me jailed up and away from the risk of seeking my happiness. The million-dollar question is how do I get those set of keys?

In the past I have tried setting goals, writing and reading affirmations, and enrolling a personal coach to help me find my dream and process it into reality. None of that helped. Thinking about it, I believe that one must get to the root of the problem in order to resolve the conflict. I am now at that root.

The root of my problem is that I do believe others will leave me (abandon me) if I risk it all on my dream. This is deep seeded because my father abandoned me when I was a small child. Some says, get over it. That was the past. I do not believe we ever get over traumatic things. All we can do is deal with them, manage them, and continuously keep those demons in check. That is all we can do.

For others who seek happiness, success, or your dream, maybe you are locked up by your own demons. You must accept the bad and work to manage it every day.

I have uncovered the secret layer to my success. Now, it is up to me to push through to take a risk and face a fear that may not be as real as I imagine it to be.

It is my honesty that will set me free. I believe your honesty will set you free, as well. Start by digging deep to uncover any traumatic events or scars so that you can unlock your ability. Believe that risk is the antidote for fear.