Two Sides of a Coin

Fear. It is something that affects everyone. It's a survival instinct that keeps us safe.

How dull it would be to listen to fear all the time.

I know what you're thinking. You've heard this all before. Face your fears. If you face them and stand your ground, you won't be scared anymore.

You are, of course, incorrect if you think that. Fear is essential, and will remain with you even after you have faced it hundreds of times.

Skydivers get a rush out of jumping out of airplanes. Sure, they may have been afraid the first couple of times, and who wouldn't be? But after dozens of jumps, what's there to be frightened of?

The same thing. It's what drives them to check and recheck that all of their equipment is packed correctly. They have to be afraid, because it does keep them alive.

That fear, however, is what keeps them doing it. Some call it a rush, some call it adrenaline, but ultimately adrenaline is just the chemical that's produced when your brain tells your body that it's scared.

I'm terrified every week I do this blog that nobody will read it, or if they do, they'll hate it. I'm afraid that I'll hate it. That's the biggest thing for me. Not that other people won't think I'm good enough, but that I'll think I'm not good enough.

But I love writing. I can't not do it. I'm scared to death of it, but I have to do it. It's not even courage that keeps me going. (And yes, courage doesn't mean not having fear, it's about doing what you have to do in spite of the fear.)

And it's not always someone else telling you have to do something. Sure, you have work duties, and family duties, but what about to duty to your self? What does your soul tell you to do so that it can thrive?

You owe it to yourself to embrace your fear. Love what scares you (within reason). Start your band. Share your faith. Write your novel. Ask for help.

And be afraid. Be very afraid. Then get it done.

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So a bit more of an essay today than a story. I suppose the story is your own to create. "We're all stories in the end. Make it a good one, eh?"

Special thanks to James Boski, Alicia Ballew, and Jeri Birdwell for sharing their courage. For next week, what's your favorite children's book? Let me know in the comments section below, and don't forget to subscribe.