Attraction
I received something that was very helpful from a client the other day. She said that attraction for her was the desire to get closer. It may seem obvious to you but it struck me in an insightful way, looking at the balancing act of want and fear in our life choices.Aversion would be the opposite of attraction; it is the natural tendency to want to get further from something.Often aversion serves as a function of fear, we want to move away from fear but we may simultaneously want to move toward growth. In actions that include attraction (want) and aversion (fear) the balance of these forces determine the outcome. If fear wins we get avoidance, if want is stronger we get action and engagement. The fear may not go away but the level of want allows us to tolerate it.I often see this in prospective clients; they may very much want the results of mentoring like growth, clarity, action, happiness, letting go, goals, etc. but the fears are greater: exposure, vulnerability, potential for disappointment or failure. Often times things have to get pretty bad for the desire for well being and growth to overpower the fear that comes from looking into self. This is true for all of us.Take a look at the attractions and aversions in your life. How does want and fear play out for you? What are some things you are attracted to but the fear about them is stronger? How might you work with this awareness in your life?