We're all scared. Things frighten us every day. Being afraid isn't bad, but allowing the fear to control your actions and make your choices for you is. If your goal is to live your life on purpose, then giving into your fear is allowing life to happen to you, rather than you charting your own course.
Fear is a powerful emotion. It can affect our actions without our realizing that it is happening. But usually, we know that we're afraid, and we have a choice. Will I face my fear, and try to get what I want, or will I make some kind of excuse, or in some other way choose to let the fear win.
I'm training for a triathlon right now, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm scared. What if I fail? What if I can't finish? What will I do if I'm dead last; still plodding through my 10K and everyone else is done? Would I have the mental strength to keep going? I know that these fears are the reason that I never took the leap from the long-distance cycling that I did as a teenager into bicycle racing.
Every day, when I train for my race, I acknowledge my fears. I recognize them, and I choose to try anyway. There is a real possibility that I might fail; that I might twist and ankle or crash my bike and be unable to finish. But should that stop me from trying?
It is hard to face your fear. It is hard to admit that you're afraid; to admit that if you try, you may fail. But, once again, the hard choice is the right one.
You could live your whole life without facing your fears, but what will you accomplish? I would rather know that I tried, even if I fail. The strength that you will gain from trying, whether you succeed or fail, will make you a stronger person. And imagine how great it will be when you actually succeed. Imagine for a moment the personal pride that you will feel when you know that you faced a fear, worked through it, and accomplished something great. Isn't that worth the effort?
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