Embrace Your Courage: Overcoming Fear to Live Fully
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Chapter 1: The Nature of Fear
Fear is a universal emotion we all experience. It was a significant factor in my journey when, as a young woman, I dreamed of entering the fashion industry. However, my father insisted that I attend his art school, Cooper Union, in New York City before pursuing that path. My stubbornness led me to decline, but underneath it all, I was paralyzed by fear.
Years later, I mustered the courage to start my own business as a wardrobe consultant and personal shopper. The excitement was palpable, yet so was the fear. My background was primarily in retail women's wear, but I knew this was my chance to make a move. The journey was challenging, yet immensely rewarding, ranking among the top ten of my aspirations. Helping women feel fashionable, beautiful, and professional was fulfilling work.
Stephen Pressfield eloquently states in his book, The War of Art:
> Fear is good. Like self-doubt, fear is an indicator. Fear tells us what we have to do.
The guiding principle here is that the more intimidated we are by a task or calling, the more certain we can be that we should pursue it. Fear can be a positive force; if we never feel afraid, it may indicate that we are not pushing ourselves beyond our comfort zones, which is where true growth occurs. As author Anais Nin said, "Life shrinks or expands according to one’s courage."
When fear inhibits us from becoming the individuals we aspire to be, it becomes detrimental. Even as we achieve significant milestones in our lives, we may still harbor ambitions that fear prevents us from realizing. Excuses abound, ranging from age, lack of education, financial constraints, or concerns about others' opinions. The list of justifications is limitless, but they all ultimately trace back to fear.
Successful individuals throughout history have faced their fears. Georgia O’Keeffe, the renowned painter, once said:
> I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life, and I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing that I wanted to do.
Her legacy is a testament to the power of overcoming fear.
Chapter 2: Personal Examples of Courage
Fear can strike close to home. My adult sons have embarked on adventures that terrified me. My older son, Anthony, sailed a medium-sized yacht across the Atlantic from Maine to Italy. Meanwhile, my younger son, Nick, took a leap of faith and accepted a job teaching English in Seoul, South Korea, despite knowing no Korean. This shy and introverted young man not only thrived in that environment but also excelled as a teacher for three years, eventually leading him to become a school psychologist.
These experiences highlight a courage that I didn't necessarily pass down to them.
Ben Hardy once said:
> Death is not our greatest fear. Our greatest fear is reaching death and having never truly lived.
Three years ago, I decided to try my hand at pickleball, a new sport that intrigued me. Initially, I felt awkward and out of place among strangers, but fast forward a few years, and I now have a fun and challenging hobby that I play several times a week, along with wonderful friends I made along the way.
Another venture into fear for me has been my writing on Medium. Encouraged by my friend Meg, I took the plunge to publish on this platform. Who would have thought I’d enjoy it so much? From the brainstorming to the writing and selecting images to accompany my posts, the only moment of anxiety comes just before hitting "Publish." But once I do, I feel a wave of relief and pride.
The first video, RIVERSIDE - Discard Your Fear (Lyric Video), captures the essence of letting go of fears and embracing life.
The second video, Riverside - Discard Your Fear, further explores the theme of overcoming fear to pursue your dreams.
Is there a dream or adventure you are hesitating to pursue because of fear? I encourage you to set aside that apprehension and take the leap. What do you have to lose?