Everyone has had that moment when their stomach clenches or seemingly contains hundreds of small butterflies. Whether this be because a candidate puts on their best coat to attend an interview for their dream job or a girl catches sight of the boy she likes. That so called feeling can be defined as fear. Or the feeling that something is wrong or will be detrimental to their being. This sense of fear then silently mixes with one's good and beneficial feelings. Causing a sequence of events that results in one no longer acting upon beneficial feelings and situations. This is because we as humans are taught that we should be fearful of situations that make us vulnerable and take us out of our comfort zones. We are to protect ourselves from ridicule and rejection. Fear tells us that even if you like someone, you should not ask them for a date because there is a chance they will say no and that would be horrible for your ego. In short we are taught that how we “feel and want” should be “married” to the action we should take to fulfill such a need. For example, I want to apply for that job but I do not have the confidence that I am the best candidate. Therefore, fear tells us that we shouldn’t apply and set ourselves up for failure.
BUT consider this for me, our feelings should not be married to our actions. They should be more like neighbors, they can occasionally hang out and can keep us from doing extremely detrimental things--like jumping off a bridge. Clearly such a feeling of fear in carrying out that dramatic of an incident is justified. But, everyday feelings of fear should not limit our ability to act on something. Think about the amount of times you married fear with feelings; and it caused you to do nothing. Did you miss a great opportunity? Did it cause you to not speak out about how you felt? Did you lose the boy or girl? Did you not apply for your dream job?
NOW, think about the times you overcame fear. That time you got the girl, the time you decided to venture out of state for college, or the time you got the dream job? What did it bring you? I hope it gifted you with experience and lessons, that you otherwise would have missed out on. I hope it made you that much more confident in your abilities and taught you to believe in yourself. Because that very thing you did caused you to be right where you are this instant. See, while fear is helpful in occasionally avoiding dangerous situations; it can also dangerously affect how you feel about yourself and hold you back.
So think about this, what would you do without fear? What would you do this minute? Well here is my challenge for you. DO IT. BE DARING, DON’T LET FEAR HOLD YOU BACK.
