Colombia is my newest guru. 🙂

With some tough-love, it’s taught me how so many of us keep ourselves stuck in circles of frustration and spiritual constipation.

I arrived here in Medellin last month


 and I was scared.

Straight up. Super scared.

I’d walk outta my crib
 Scan the streets
 And be suspicious of any and every-body. These people were all up to something.

I didn’t trust cab drivers… Didn’t wanna explore the city
 And barely left my house after dark.

It’s kinda strange because in the last 5 years I’ve traveled to over 20 countries
 Countless cities… And 99% of the time I feel super safe.

So why was I so damn tense
 On edge
 And living in a Groundhog Day of low-level panic attacks?

I chose to come to Medellin because this place looked dope. I knew I wanted to spend 2 months in South America with mi amor — dodging the cruel winter weather at home in the frozen Apple.

I knew a few peeps living here and they raved about the amazing culture… food… weather… and women. I was in!

But shortly after I booked my flight here, the freak-out began.

Not more than 2 decades ago, Medellín was known as the most violent city in the world. Although the city has now gone through a massive transformation, most of my friends and family only know of Medellin by Pablo Escobar and his controversial insanity of inhumanity.

So when I told them I was coming here, they looked at me cross-eyed.

I’d heard rumors about kidnappings, robberies, and some crazy drug that criminals blow in your face which completely eliminates your freewill.

No wonder I was petrified when I arrived.

Fast-forward to present day. It’s been about 6 weeks since I got here. And today I went for a mid-day stroll to the grocery store.

I was relaxed, smiling at strangers, and feeling so damn grateful for this beautiful life. You might even say I love it here.

Nothing was different about the city
 So why did I feel so differently?

Well, when I arrived I had a *BELIEF* that Medellin was dangerous. Hence, the fear.

But after being here for 6 weeks and experiencing the city, that belief changed. So I feel safe.

Same situation… but a different *belief*… And because of that, a completely new reality.

In life, we tend to walk around with beliefs that keep us stuck.

We think it’s dangerous to tell the truth.

We think only a select few can get paid to do meaningful work.

We think uncertainty should be avoided at all costs.

My new wise guru Colombia, has helped remind me that our experience of life is based on our beliefs about it.

When you change the way you see the world, the world you see changes.

Drop a comment below and let me know one of the beliefs that’s kept you stuck in the past!

Sending love,
Jacob.

PS: The best way to overcome a belief is to *challenge* it. You can do that through questioning it
 taking action that disproves it… or spending time with people who have the beliefs you want!

PPS: I love this TEDx talk by Michael Neill which helps unpack this wisdom.

Privacy Preference Center