In Others’ Words: Fear

 

Photo by Wia-Tirol/stockxchng.com

 

“If it scares you, it might be a good thing to try.” ~ Seth Godin (1960-), American author & public speaker

The more times I read this quote, the more I like it.

I kept much-too-close company with fear for too many years. Wasted a lot of time letting fear decide what I did — or didn’t — do.

And then I started shoving back when fear tried to push me into a corner. And I discovered that fear backed down.

Imagine that.

Some of my fears toppled more easily than others. Heights? I’ll probably never love ‘em, but I’ll still tackle water slides when I’m at a water park with my kiddos. For a lot of years, I didn’t like flying. Now? Well, I still pray that there’s no turbulence — and then I get on the plane and go. Too many places to visit, too many people to see to waste time sitting at home being afraid.

I have no desire to bungee jump — yep, I’ll admit to being afraid — but I also think I’m smart too. Skydiving? Check back with me on that one.

Here’s what I love about Seth Godin’s quote: He challenges me — you too — to turn an “I can’t” into an “I can’t believe I did it!” He doesn’t double-dog-dare-you. He suggests giving that thing you fear a try. So, no guilt if you think about it and decide not to.

But before you decide to pass on the opportunity to push past fear, ask yourself this: What are all the different kinds of good that would happen if I did this?

In Your Words: When you read today’s quote, what scary “I can’t do that!” thing came to mind?  What would it take for you to do it? Or if you’d like to share a time when you did that “can’t do it” thing, I’d love to hear about it — and everyone else would too!