“Well then, let me tell you about The Way,” the carpenter said. “But first I must tell you what gets in the way. It is fear. Truth be told, the root cause of busyness and stress is fear. The stress you are experiencing at work and home are manifestations of the fear that is driving you. I bet when you were starting out you had all sorts of self-esteem issues and fears. You had fears that you weren’t good enough, smart enough, or fortunate enough to be successful. This fear pushed you to work hard and conquer your demons. And you had some success, right?”

“Yes,” Michael said while nodding.

“But with that success more fears emerged. People think the more successful you become the less fear you have. But actually you often become more fearful. You don’t want to lose what you have built. More people are looking to you and at you so you feel more pressure. You feel you have more to prove and more to lose. The success is greater, so the fall is greater if you fail, and too often the fear of failure becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy that leads to failure. That’s why I always told my children do not fear knowing that fear was the one thing that would keep them from their destiny. Does this sound about right?” he asked.

“Yes,” said Michael. “All of it.” His self-esteem had never been lower and his fear had never been greater. “It’s like you are reading my mind.”

The carpenter picked up the wooden heart and showed it to Michael. “You collapsed not because there was something wrong with your heart but because of the fear that was in your heart. The great news is there is an answer and it is the most powerful medicine in the world.

“The Way begins with love and love is the antidote to the fear, busyness, and stress you feel,” he said. Then he paused, thought for a moment and continued, “Do not fear failing. Do not fear losing clients. Do not fear that you won’t be successful. Do not fear that things won’t go your way. Instead do everything with love and you will cast out fear, you will flow instead of stress, and you will create more success than you could ever imagine.”

“Easier said than done,” said Michael. “My fear hovers around me, latches on like a pit bull, and won’t let go.”

“I know,” said the carpenter. “But that’s why I call it The Way. It’s the way to live each moment, each day to the fullest, and prevent all the negative forces from sabotaging you. The more you focus on love in each moment and each day, the more fear fades away.

“Think of the craftsman beginning a new work. The craftsman is not thinking about failure. The craftsman is only thinking about building his work with love. Because he loves his work so much and creates with love, fear loses its power over the craftsman. And this allows him to do his best work and create with all the love in the universe.

“You thought you were a craftsman, didn’t you, Michael?” the carpenter asked.

“I did. When you were describing a craftsman, I kept saying to myself, ‘That’s me.’ I work harder than anyone I know. I’m always trying to get better. I pursue excellence in all that I do. But . . .”

“But,” the carpenter interrupted and completed his sentence, “you are missing the love the craftsman creates with. You cannot be a craftsman unless you are putting your love into the work that you do. After all, if you aren’t building it with love it won’t be worth building. As an artist you must be driven by love. Only then will you create something special, magnificent, and compelling. Only through love will you create a masterpiece.”

Michael knew he was right. He was building with fear and it almost cost him his life.

The carpenter continued, “If you build your life and company with fear, it won’t be worth building. In the end you’ll look back and realize you didn’t enjoy any of it. It will never be what it could have been and you’ll likely burn out before you finish. And even if you do finish, anything built with fear will eventually crumble.”

“Like my collapse,” said Michael.

“Exactly like that. Remember, fear is draining. Love is sustaining. Fear is short term. Love is long term. Fear appears strong, but is weak. Love appears weak, but is strong. Love is the way.”

The carpenter then held the wooden heart against his heart before handing it to Michael, who asked, “How do I make The Way my way?”

“It’s simple,” the carpenter said. “When it comes to your business, focus on the love you have of building it rather than the fear of losing it. Don’t let fear sabotage your dreams. You only have one life to live so you might as well go for it. Fill it up with love, not fear. When you build your business with love, it can’t help but grow. When you love the work you do, you will do great work. You were created with love, you are loved, and you are meant to share this love in all that you do. Build everything with love! Greatness is built with love.”

The carpenter then walked toward Michael’s children’s rooms, turned around, and smiled. “And when you are getting your children ready for school in the morning, for God’s sake, love the time you have with them instead of fearing you won’t make the bus. You all will be a lot happier,” he said laughing.

“Well said!” Michael exclaimed, knowing it was the truth he needed to hear. “But what about all the obstacles and annoying little things that get in the way? Like shoelaces and book reports and losing your most important client?” he said sarcastically.

“They are like barking dogs that are powerless in the face of love,” answered the carpenter. “All those things are opportunities to choose how you want to live. In every moment will you choose fear or love? Choose love and:

Love the struggle because it makes you appreciate your accomplishments.

Love challenges because they make you stronger.

Love competition because it makes you better.

Love negative people because they make you more positive.

Love those who have hurt you because they teach you forgiveness.

Love fear because it makes you courageous.

“The secret to life and the greatest success strategy of all is to love all of it and fear none of it.”