The Wanderluster

Being afraid to fail means being afraid to live.

I was listening to a Chase Jarvis interview with mountain guide Melissa Arnot Reid and this message is what stood out to me the most. Generally I believe I do a pretty good job of ignoring fear and doing what I want to do, but I would be lying if I said that is always the case.

This blog, for example, is one of those things. Did I start it? Yes. But am I doing everything I possibly can with it? No. And why is that? I’m afraid. I’m afraid I won’t connect. I’m afraid I’ll be ignored. I’m afraid of not being good enough, or interesting enough, or whatever word can fill in the blank enough. And that’s so lame.

Everyone has something to offer the world in a positive light. I truly believe that. Every. Single. One.  But knowledge doesn’t always equals action, especially when it comes to our own actions.  Is it just me or are we more inclined to believe in other people than to believe in ourselves?  If someone tells me they want to do something, I’m their biggest cheerleader.  If you tell me your plan, I will immediately say, “Yes, do it. You’re going to do it.”  But when I flip the conversation around to myself, the voice is a little quieter.  The doubt comes in and even though I know I can do whatever I set my mind to, there is always always ALWAYS a part of me that’s like, “Are you sure you wanna try that? Because here’s a million reasons to not. You’re welcome.”

And how unfair is that? So I’m using today to be better. Our growth is a process, one that never (and should never) end.  And it’s not a straight line up.  It’s jagged and wonky. But straight lines are boring anyway.  I accept my fear of failing but that doesn’t mean I welcome it. Although fear is natural, it should not be controlling. And if I believe this, which I so wholeheartedly do, I must practice it. Make today awesome, whatever way you can, and I promise to being doing the same.