Love or Fear?

Has it ever happened to you that while walking, swimming, driving, or shopping at the market, you suddenly say, "Wow!" because, in that instant, you realize something about your life that you hadn’t recognized before? It has happened to me.

I was never the girl dressed in pink, playing with dolls, and dreaming of becoming a mother. I preferred building and taking things apart, playing with marbles, and riding my bike. So, in my self-perception, I always thought: "The actions I have taken in my life, I have taken with my head." And I remember saying it often: "You have to decide with your head, not your heart." Very logical, very coherent, and given my background as an engineer, very "me."

But this week, I reflected on the major changes and decisions I have made in my life and what motivated each one of them:

• At 16, I went on an exchange program. What motivated me to do that? My love for traveling and exploring.

• In 2000, I decided to start the process of moving to Australia, where we finally relocated in 2004. What motivated me to do that? My love for that country.

• In 2007, I decided to return to Colombia. What motivated me to do that? My love for my family.

• In 2011, I chose to lead the Ge Foundation, which meant putting my professional career aside. What motivated me to do that? My love for helping people.

• In 2023, I made the decision to say "NO" to a proposed change at the company where I worked. What motivated me to do that? My love for my integrity and happiness.

Of course, I felt fear in each of those moments! But I chose what I loved, and each choice has made me happy.

Every decision we make in life is guided by two fundamental forces: love and fear. We may not always recognise it, but when we analyse our actions and deepest thoughts, we realise that everything we do stems from one of these two emotions.

Love as a Driving Force

Love is expansive. It pushes us to explore, create, and trust. When we act from a place of love, we feel motivated, full of energy, and with a clear sense of direction.

• When you love what you do, you give yourself to it with passion and enjoy the process, regardless of obstacles.

• When you love yourself, you make decisions aligned with your well-being and growth.

• When you love others, you connect with empathy and build genuine, meaningful relationships.

Acting from love doesn’t mean there won’t be challenges—it means choosing to face them with confidence, focusing on what you can achieve rather than what could go wrong.

Fear as an Invisible Barrier

Fear, on the other hand, limits us. It makes us doubt our abilities, postpone decisions, and paralyzes us in the face of uncertainty.

• Fear of failure prevents us from taking the necessary risks to grow.

• Fear of rejection makes us conform and suppress our authenticity.

• Fear of the unknown keeps us trapped in the comfort of familiarity, even when it doesn’t make us happy.

Every emotion has a purpose—fear protects us from danger. But when we let it govern our decisions, it distances us from the life we truly desire.

How to Choose Love Over Fear?

The first step is recognizing where we are making our decisions from. Ask yourself:

• Am I choosing this out of love or fear?

• What would I do if fear were not present?

• How would it feel to act with confidence and possibility?

Once you become aware of it, you can challenge those fears and take small but firm steps toward what you truly want. The key is to focus on what you can gain rather than what you might lose.

Imagine a life where you make decisions guided by love, where you trust in your potential and allow yourself to move forward without fear dictating your path. That life is possible! And it starts with a daily choice: choosing love over fear.

You are the one who decide where to live from.