May 3, 2012

Five Reasons I Try Things that Terrify Me

We all have fears. Some of them are legitimate and founded; those are ones we have tried and have reasoning to dislike or avoid. Others are based on assumptions or influence. Those are the ones I like to tackle. I don't want unwarranted fear holding me back.

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by each experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, “I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.” You must do the thing you think you cannot do.
Eleanor Roosevelt

Five Reasons I Try Things that Terrify Me

Living
What's the point of life if we don't try new things? It's easy to build fear of the unknown, but it can only become known if you try it. That doesn't mean we should ignore our gut... I'm okay with never trying bungee-jumping.

Growth
I like to grow and expand my interests, because I think it makes me a better person. Every day I learn something new, and I wouldn't want it any other way. Some things I don't like, and some I love. But I hope to constantly be adding to both lists. Sometimes knowing what you DO NOT like is as important as knowing what you do.

Children
I don't want my fears to automatically become theirs. I want them to see me embrace life (responsibly and with preparation, of course), so they do. As a mom, it's so much more about what we show them than what we tell them.

Success
Few things impede success like the fear of failure. If you constantly look over your shoulder, you can't see the opportunities that lie ahead. (So much easier said than done.)

Regret
None of us are guaranteed tomorrow, so I don't want to assume there will be another day to overcome my fears. Today is as good as any.

If you are afraid of heights, I'm not suggesting you climb Mt. Everest. Although I'd certainly be impressed. Just don't let that fear keep you from climbing to the top row to see you child's college graduation.

There are certainly universal fears... like losing a child. I don't know a parent who doesn't legitimately have that fear. Or maybe it's losing a parent.

Why do you face your fears? What are you afraid of?

8 comments:

Eloise said...

How true. You have to keep trying to get beyond the scary stuff in life.

Experience is a great teacher; I can tell myself that I've been through a similar scary experience before, and have made it through in one piece. I've also learned that I have limits, and that there are times when it makes sense to say 'no' to something.

I'm an introvert. It's natural for me to pull into my shell, but I can't allow that to happen. So, I push myself out the door. Terrifying sometimes, but necessary.

Good post, and timely 8).

Lynnette Conroy said...

Those 5 reasons are dead on. For me the two biggest are children and regret. I hate regretful moments, and having been raised by a Mom who loved us dearly, but who was terrified to do new things, I know first hand how contagious that mind set can be. I've had to fight my way out from under that weight. Great post!

patti said...

Wow, so right on! I have a lot of fears, but you have inspired me to look at them and face them or at least give it a good try!
Thanks,
Pg

Babette said...

I think I constantly struggle to not fear failure. And this from someone who has done Outward Bound, NYC triathlon and other "adventure" things.

I need to remember that failure means I tried. It means I learned. Not trying something just so I won't fail means...well, not trying. Not trying something means missing out. And that is worse!

Tia Bach said...

Eloise, I am impressed by how much you stand up to life. Your writing inspires me to not let fear reign.

Lynnette, You make an excellent point, and one thing I have tried not to do as a mom. I don't want to create fear for my children by showcasing my own.

Patti, Thanks! You made my day.

Barb, I agree, it's about the trying. Failure is never even attempting something. And it's failure out of the gate.

Thanks for sharing, ladies!

a.eye said...

Great information! I need to get better at not being afraid of the unknown when it comes to taking actions.

Anonymous said...

Fear is such a barrier, you're right. And I agree with your reasons to take on those things that terrify us...great list and reminders. Thank you.

Tia Bach said...

a.eye, Me too. This was my way of pumping myself up to face fear. Let's hope it works. ;-)

Liz, Thanks. And thanks again for the mention.