Lead By Pleasure Blog
The other day, a young woman shared her story with me as we crossed paths on the street. She had a beautiful idea, one that made her heart light up. She wanted to try an experiment: to wear a blindfold and a sign that read, “Free hugs for anyone who wants them.” She imagined it would be an opportunity to connect with others in a deeply meaningful way—to feel and share warmth and kindness in a world that sometimes feels too disconnected.
But she never did it.
What stopped her wasn’t a lack of desire or clarity about why she wanted to do it. What stopped her was fear. The fear of being judged. The fear of rejection. The fear of stepping out of her comfort zone and being seen in a way that felt vulnerable.
Her story stayed with me, because isn’t that the way so many of us live? We have these quiet dreams and heartfelt desires. We know, deep down, what would bring us peace, joy, or connection. And yet, we don’t act. We hold back because we’re so focused on the pain of what might go wrong. What if I fail? What if they laugh? What if I’m not good enough?
As humans, it’s natural to be driven by pain. We often move only when it hurts too much to stay where we are. It’s a survival instinct—a reaction hardwired into us to avoid danger or discomfort. But here’s the thing: living this way keeps us stuck. It keeps us in reactive mode, always avoiding instead of pursuing.
What if we flipped the script? What if, instead of being pushed by pain, we let ourselves be led by pleasure?
The woman with the blindfold knew, in her heart, that her idea would bring her joy and connection. It wasn’t just about offering free hugs; it was about reclaiming her courage, building trust in others, and stepping into the light of what she needed most. That was her pleasure. And yet, her fear—the imagined pain—kept her from taking that first step.
Now imagine if she had done it. What might have happened? Yes, maybe a few people would have walked by without engaging. But just as likely, she might have met someone who was having a tough day and needed that simple hug to feel seen. She might have felt empowered, energized, and connected in a way she hadn’t felt in years. She might have discovered the pleasure of stepping fully into herself, unburdened by the need to avoid discomfort.
The truth is, when we let pleasure lead us, we step into a different kind of power. We stop being reactive and start being intentional. Pleasure invites us to create a life filled with meaning, instead of one that’s just about avoiding the hard stuff.
So, I’ll ask you: what’s the one thing you’ve always wanted to do? The idea that makes your heart beat a little faster—the one you keep tucking away because the “pain” feels too great? What would happen if you let yourself imagine the pleasure instead? The joy of actually doing it. The fulfillment of knowing you’re stepping into who you’re meant to be.
At The Healing Barn, we’re here to help you take that step. Whether it’s clarity, courage, or connection you’re seeking, we’d love to guide and support you on your journey. Life is too short to let fear be in the driver’s seat. It’s time to let the pull of pleasure take the wheel.
What’s your next move? Let us help you make it happen.
