This week, let's look at a parable from the Bible.

A story about fear, playing it safe, and what happens when you're too afraid to use what you've been given.

Let's dive in...

There once was a wealthy man who was preparing to leave on a long journey.

Before he left, he called three people who worked for him together.

He gave the first person five silver coins. The second person two silver coins. And the third person, one silver coin.

"I'm trusting you with this," he said. "Use it wisely while I'm gone."

And then he left for his journey.

The first person didn't waste any time.

And as soon as the wealthy man left, he took his five coins and invested them.

He worked. He took calculated risks. And by the time the wealthy man returned, he'd doubled what he was given. His five coins became ten coins.

The second person did the same.

He invested his two coins carefully. Worked hard. Made smart decisions. And doubled his money. The two coins became four.

But the third person... he was afraid.

He looked at his one coin and thought, What if I lose it? What if I make the wrong choice? What if I fail?

So he didn't invest it. He didn't risk it. He didn't try to do anything with it.

He dug a hole in the ground and buried it. He kept it safe and hidden.

At least I won't lose it, he told himself.

Months later, the wealthy man returned.

He called the three people back to see what they'd done with what he'd given them.

The first person came forward with ten coins. "You gave me five," he said. "I invested them and made five more."

The wealthy man smiled. "Well done. You didn't let fear stop you. And because you used it well, I'm giving you even more responsibility."

The second person stepped forward with four coins. "You gave me two. I worked hard and made two more."

The wealthy man nodded. "Well done. You didn't let the amount stop you. You did what you could with what you had. I'm giving you more as well."

Then the third person came forward. Slowly… nervously.

He held out the one coin.

"I know you're a demanding person," he said quietly.

"I was afraid of losing what you gave me. So I kept it safe. I buried it in the ground. Here it is... exactly as you gave it to me. I didn't lose it."

The wealthy man's face changed.

"You were afraid?" he said. "So you did... nothing?"

The third person nodded.

The wealthy man shook his head.

"You could have at least tried," he said.

"You could have taken a small risk. Done something with it. But you were so afraid of losing it... that you buried it instead."

He looked at the third person with deep disappointment.

"You didn't protect what I gave you. You wasted it. Because keeping something safe while doing nothing with it... is the same as losing it."

He took the coin from him and handed it to the first person and said...

"Those who are afraid to use their gifts lose them. And those who use them receive more."

The wealthy man had given each of them something valuable.

Two of them used it. One kept it safe.

And the one who played it safe... lost everything.

The third person did exactly what fear told him to do. He kept the coin safe... and lost everything.

And maybe you've been doing the same thing.

You have something. A gift. A skill. An idea. A calling.

But you're waiting. For the right time. For more experience. For when you feel ready. For when you have all the answers.

And while you wait, it just sits there.

You tell yourself you're being responsible… Being careful.

But here's what's actually happening.

Your subconscious mind is disguising fear as wisdom.

"I'm not ready yet." That's fear.
"I need more time." That's fear.
"What if I fail?" That's fear.

Your brain thinks it's protecting you. Keeping you safe from failure, judgment, loss.

But that protection... it's costing you everything.

Because the thing you're so afraid of losing by trying? You're already losing it by not trying.

The wealthy man didn't care who started with more. He didn't reward perfection... He cared about who took action.

The first two weren't better. They just weren't afraid to use what they had.

And that's the only difference that mattered.

You already have what you need. The question is... will you use it? Or will you bury it and call it safety?

This week, think about one thing you've been burying.

The idea you haven't started. The skill you haven't used. The conversation you haven't had. The risk you haven't taken.

The thing that sits in the back of your mind... waiting for the "right time."

Now, here's what you can do.

Name the fear honestly.

Not the excuse. Not "I'm not ready" or "I need more time." The actual fear underneath.

I'm afraid I'll fail. I'm afraid people will judge me. I'm afraid I'm not good enough. I'm afraid I'll lose what I have.

Write it down and be very specific about it.

Because here's what happens when you name it.

The fear stops pretending to be wisdom. It stops hiding behind logic and responsibility. It becomes what it actually is... just fear.

And once you see it clearly, you have a choice.

You can either let that fear keep you safe. Keep your gifts buried. Keep waiting for conditions that will never be perfect.

Or you can take action anyway.

Not perfectly. Not with all the answers.... Maybe not when you're 100% ready.

Just... start.

That's all for this week. I hope this story stays with you through the week.

Before I go, I want to say thank you to everyone who's been replying and sharing their thoughts. Your feedback means more than you know, and I genuinely appreciate you taking the time to let me know what resonates.

If something in today's edition moved you, made you think, or reminded you of something you needed to hear, hit reply and let me know.

And if this story reminded you of someone… share it with them. Some things are worth passing on.

If you missed last week's edition: How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

See you next Sunday.

— Manifest Chronicles | The Mindset Behind Change