The Fear Factor

What is the scariest thing you've ever done?

For me, it was a series of choices that, looking back seems way too risky, a little crazy, and altogether scary.
I made a choice 2 years ago to leave a stable desk job for self-improvement and a little adventure. Nearly a year later, after returning to that familiar, former world for a while, I made the choice again. I realized that I was onto something the first time - a way of thinking, living, and being that could never be boxed into that former world again.

It was a scary thing to realize because I always valued stability and predictability in my life. It was scary to discover that I wanted live a little dangerously. I've always been an "outside the box" person internally, but my external self was always "play it safe." Admitting that my internal self was my true self (and that it was in fact okay to honor it) was the scariest and best thing I've ever done.

When we discover who we really are or what we really want and choose to embrace it, in spite of the risks, we step out into a level of living that many people fear. Their fear will come in the form of doubting, eye-rolling, "genuine" worry for your sanity, and other variations of envy. Your fear will come in many of those same forms! The key is to plan what you can plan, never stop learning and improving, and keep moving forward. Still, trips, stumbles, and all out face plants will occur. This is part of the process and you can choose to see the lesson in each failure.

Doing something scary can be good for you - it can show you a strength you never knew you had; it can reveal a path you never thought would be an option for you; it can help you to see and understand people better; it can free you from boxes. So go and try something that scares you. Be fearless, and keep moving forward.

Share your thoughts:

• What's the scariest thing you've ever done?
  
• What is something that scares you but would ultimately be good for you?