Fear plays an integral part in our lives.

It kept us up at night as children when we were sure a monster was hiding beneath our bed, it brings us all together on one day a year to dress up in costumes and celebrate it, and it is the deciding factor that ultimately stops us from going after what we want.

If we weren't so afraid to fail, terrified of rejection, or worried for the unknown, how would our lives be different?

Take a moment and think of something you've wanted to do, something that is gnawing at your brain, something that you constantly ponder the "what-ifs" of. Now, what is stopping you from going after it?

You're afraid.

Every time you've came close to going for it, you are screeched to a halt in your steps as you think about what could happen if things don't go your way. But, really, what is the worst thing that could happen? You fail. You fall down in the dirt. So what? Stand up, brush yourself off, and keep going.

I'm not saying that rejection feels good, but you will always learn from it. You will no doubt become a stronger person because you were brave enough to take the plunge in the first place. Even better yet, you will have the closure you've been seeking, because you will know how things turn out, even if you don't like the outcome. Isn't that better than sitting around, doing nothing, and wasting time wondering about it?

Now, consider this. What if things do end up going your way? What if you get everything you've spent all of this time hoping for? Imagine the reward of what could-be, the best possible situation that could come from your leap of faith. Isn't it worth trying for? But, you will never know if it's within your reach if you don't take the risk to go for it.

That's not to say that you won't fail, rejection is inevitable, or that the unknown will turn out exactly as you'd hoped, and that's what scares us away from taking those risks and ultimately compromises certain chances for happiness in our lives.

How dare we let fear pilot our lives, let it stop us from taking a chance at love, life, or a career? How dare we let fear be the final verdict in our decisions, let it eat away at our thoughts?

You are in control of your own destiny. You can choose to take or not take every opportunity that comes your way. The outcome may be uncertain, but that choice will always be in your hands. It is up to you to trust yourself enough to jump.

The only risk that you will regret taking in your life is the risk of never taking any. Try being a little less cautious in your decisions every now and again. Because, in the end, isn't it better to have a life that is filled with "I can't believe I actually did that," rather than "I should have done it, but it's too late now?"

So, if you want something, try being crazy for once, and just go for it.

"So please ask yourself: What would I do if I weren't afraid? And then go do it."

-Sheryl Sandberg