On my first full day back in Nashville, a good friend asked me if I wanted to go cliff jumping. Normally, I would have went along for the ride, and left the more daredevil-y things to my fearless friends. I would consider myself an adrenaline junkie to a lesser extent. I love my fair share of roller coasters and snowmobile rides. The extent of my adventures are usually characterized by seat belts and safety helmets. This time, however, I decided to face a fear.

I'm a comfort person. I don't like to venture too far out of my comfort levels, and testing those boundaries scares me a little (And being around uncontrolled heights definitely falls out of bounds). So, if you would have asked me three days ago if I would ever have jumped off a cliff that was 20 feet high into a cold lake, I would probably have laughed in your face. But, I did it and I couldn't be happier that I did.

If there is one thing that I have heard constantly throughout my life by the people who guide me, it is "Do not let yourself be ruled by fear". This mantra can be applied to just about anything, whether that's fear of trying out for a new activity where rejection is possible, going to a place where you may not know anyone, or trying something new and foreign for the first time.

I'm a cautious person, and like many others, I think a lot about "What if?" when it comes to trying new things. However, I try not to be ruled by the possibilities, but rather by what there is to gain, and that is what is important about facing your fears.

There are all kinds of things to be afraid of, and there is something fundamentally fulfilling about being able to face these fears and put them behind you. All this is obviously easier said than done, but it starts in little steps. Force yourself to sit alone in a common area for a few minutes without a shield like a phone or headphones.

Try that new class even if you have no experience or previous knowledge. Making yourself vulnerable in a situation will help you prove to yourself that you can overcome. It makes the next hurdle that much easier to jump, and the next thing you know, you're running marathons.

It is this kind of small, everyday fearlessness that leads people to greatness. Whether it's getting yourself to talk to someone new, or taking a leap of faith off a cliff, each step towards facing your fears is a step to sucking all of the marrow out of life.

Climb that hill, make that jump. The water will be there to catch you.