The Weight of Two Worlds
Inse stood in the break room of the hospital, gripping his coffee cup like a lifeline. He had just finished another grueling 12-hour shift, but exhaustion was the least of his worries. His mind was stuck on the fertility treatment bill that had arrived that morning, another steep cost in a journey that seemed endless.
His husband, Leo, had tried to reassure him. We’ll figure it out. We always do.
But Inse wasn’t sure anymore. Between paying for treatments and maintaining their already tight budget, he felt like he was constantly failing at both his career and his dream of starting a family.
And the worst part? He felt guilty for even considering slowing down at work.
He had been taught that success meant pushing forward, no matter what. That if he worked hard enough, everything would fall into place. But now, as he stared at the reflection of his tired eyes in the break room window, all he could hear was the voice of insecurity whispering:
You can’t have both. You’ll either fail your career or your future family. No matter what, you’ll fall short.
A Billionaire’s Perspective
That evening, Inse found himself on a video call with his older sister, Curity. She was sitting on a sun-drenched terrace, the sound of waves in the background.
“Where are you now?” Inse asked, his voice tinged with both admiration and exhaustion.
“My island,” she said, sipping a glass of sparkling water. “Needed a break.”
Inse scoffed. “Must be nice.”
Curity arched an eyebrow. “You know what else would be nice? You taking a break before you burn out completely.”
Inse sighed, rubbing his temple. “Curity, I can’t. Between work, fertility treatments, and bills, I don’t have time for a ‘break.’ If I slow down at work, what happens to our future? What if I never get to be a parent?”
Curity studied him carefully before leaning forward. “Inse, I know that voice in your head. The one telling you that if you don’t push harder, you’ll lose everything. That slowing down is the same as giving up.”
Inse didn’t respond. Because she was right.
Curity continued. “That’s your voice of insecurity. And right now, it’s running your life.“
The Transformation: Acting Despite the Fear
Curity set down her glass. “Listen, baby brother. Today’s transformation is Act Despite the Voice of Insecurity. And you need it more than ever.”
Inse frowned. “What does that even mean? I’m already acting. I go to work every day. I show up.”
Curity shook her head. “No, you’re reacting. You’re running yourself into the ground because you’re terrified of losing control. But true action, true transformation, means making choices that serve you, even when insecurity tells you not to.”
Inse leaned back, letting her words settle.
Curity continued, her voice softer now. “If you keep working yourself to exhaustion, what happens when you finally become a parent? Will you even have the energy to be the dad you want to be?”
The question hit him hard.
“I know you’re scared,” Curity said gently. “But fear should never be the thing driving your decisions. You don’t have to be fearless to take action, you just have to act anyway. So, here’s what you’re going to do: Talk to your boss. Ask about reducing hours, or at least taking a day off. Prioritize your well-being, even if insecurity tells you it’s a mistake.”
Inse swallowed. “What if slowing down means we can’t afford the treatments?”
Curity smiled knowingly. “Then you pivot. Look for alternative options. Financial assistance programs. A side gig that brings joy instead of stress. There’s always another way, but you won’t find it if you’re too exhausted to look.“
Taking the First Step
The next morning, Inse did something terrifying.
He walked into his supervisor’s office and asked for a modified schedule.
His boss hesitated. “You’re one of our best nurses, Inse. Are you sure you want to cut back?”
The voice of insecurity screamed in his head. You’re making a mistake. You’ll lose everything.
But for the first time, he didn’t let that voice dictate his actions.
“I’m sure,” he said, even though his hands were trembling.
His boss nodded. “Okay. Let’s see what we can do.”
Inse walked out of the office with his heart pounding. He didn’t know what the future held, but for the first time in a long time, he felt something new.
Hope.
Takeaways: The Fourth Transformation – Act Despite the Voice of Insecurity
- Fear Will Always Exist, Act Anyway: Insecurity tells you that slowing down or making a change will ruin everything. Transformation happens when you act despite that fear.
- Success is Not Just About Pushing Harder: True success includes balance. If you’re burning out, you’re not succeeding, you’re surviving.
- There is Always Another Way: Fear makes you believe that there’s only one path forward. Step back, explore alternatives, and trust that options exist.
- Slowing Down is Not Giving Up: Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is choose rest. Prioritizing yourself is not selfish, it’s necessary.
That night, as Inse sat at the dinner table with Leo, discussing plans for a new fertility financing option, he realized something:
Choosing himself didn’t mean giving up on his dream.
It meant ensuring he had the strength to reach it.
