Crossing Your Rubicon


  In 49 BC Julius Caesar changed the course of history.  He crossed the Rubicon River which was forbidden under Roman law while still in command of his troops. Caesar had been appointed governorship over a region that did not include Italy. He was ordered not to bring his army across the Rubicon. Crossing the river meant a point of no return. Despite the obstacles, Julius Caesar and his 13th legion were able to capture other provinces until he seized Rome.  

After considering how Julius Caesar conquered Rome, there is one thing that comes to mind. It is a Rubicon that we all will face no matter how confident and determined we believe that we are. “In life we can do one of four things in times of uncertainty”, says transformational coach David Bayer. “ We will either fight, be in flight, freeze or thrive”. I will always choose the fourth option, to thrive. 

However,  thriving it is better said than done. Success in life, will come by way of making a tough decision that will require sacrifice. Sacrifice may come in the form of giving up material possessions, entertainment or lack of sleep when working long hours. The Rubicon we will all face in our lives is crossing the Fear of Rejection. Yes, that’s right. Most people will never go to battle for what they desire because of rejection. This is when we have to decide to thrive.

We sometimes go out of our way to make sure we don't experience this like purchasing a new car that’s out of our budget to secure our place with the crowd.   This is a fear that must be conquered immediately if you want to live a life of freedom. Fear of Rejection,   can be very paralyzing. 

Jack Canfield explains, “ To get over rejection, you have to realize that rejection is really a myth. It doesn’t really exist. It is simply a concept that you hold in your head.” If you apply to get into the University of Florida and didn’t get accepted, you were not in the University of Florida before applying. The situation didn’t get worse, it stayed the same.    
Once you understand how to reframe these occurrences, you will move forward with greater courage to cross each Rubicon that you face.