The Border Guard
When we try something for the first time, our ego has no prior experience to draw from. By definition, it is unfamiliar territory. Whenever we attempt something new, the ego becomes concerned about our safety. Without repeated experiences that confirm safety, the ego has no basis for feeling secure.
At the Boundary of the Familiar
I refer to this response as the "border guard" because it appears at the boundary between what is familiar (comfortable) and what is unfamiliar (unknown). For me, the border guard often showed up as the question, "Am I really good enough to try this yet?"
Recognizing the Distraction
This question itself acted as a distraction, steering me away from what the ego perceived as potentially unsafe. With training, I learned to recognize this pattern. Eventually, I could laugh at the border guard and even appreciate it as a signal of my excitement.
From Border Guard to Security Guard
Over time, the border guard evolved into more of a security guard—someone who watches out for genuine risks rather than blocking growth.
Retraining the Border Guard
The border guard can be retrained, and this is one of the benefits of YBNL training. If your border guard remains persistent, come to The YBNL College (join or visit) and watch the class "Shift Your Inner Dialogue." You might be pleasantly surprised by how quickly we can shift through simple mindful exercises. The class is free, and it is a good start to Your Body Never Lies internal body language training.
