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No Fear
     I’ve never been a big fan of scary movies. When I was a young boy, “Invasion From Outer Space” had me terrified for weeks after I saw it.  I couldn’t round a corner without wondering if one of those zombie-like, brain-stealing aliens was waiting to get me.  I recently caught a bit of that movie being rerun on TV and felt it was really more silly than scary. It’s funny how time can change one’s perspective.
     When I was just a little bit older, I once again dipped my toe in the scary movie genre, staying up late to watch a vampire movie.  I remember lying in bed hours after it was over, fighting off sleep, jumping at every creak I heard.  At the time, it seemed a very real possibility that the vampires might be creeping up on me. Around 3 or 4 a.m. I wearily turned off the light, saying “I can’t take it anymore. I’m going to sleep. Do your worst.” Miraculously, I survived and lived to tell the tale.
     Fear is an amazing thing.  It can save your life or it can kill you.  I’m told that some fear is inborn, such as the fear of loud sounds or the fear of falling.  Such fears help us keep alive long enough to develop the wisdom to avoid dangerous situations.
     Most other fears, though, are learned.  The world is full of fear-filled people who never tire of dispensing their perspective. In the guise of wisdom, they dispense a never-ending tirade of fear-filled statements such as,” I knew someone that tried that and wound up losing every dime they had,” or, “I read about a woman who did that and lost her arm.”  Such remarks are often offered with the best of intentions with the worst of results.  Instead of instilling wisdom, they often cripple endeavor and ingenuity.
     Have you ever thought about what your life would be like if you had not been fearful? What sport did you not try out for because you were afraid of looking foolish?  What girl did you not ask out because you were afraid of rejection? What job did you not apply for because you feared failure? What courses did you not take because you feared you weren’t smart enough? What journey have you not taken because you were afraid?
     What would you do now if you had no fear? Where would you go? Where would you work? Would you go back to school? What chances would you take that fear, dressed up as common sense, has prevented you from attempting?
     Embracing fear is a choice. It’s just one of the two options on the table.  The other is accepting the challenges life presents and daring to venture forth.
     © 2004 Charles Marshall. Charles Marshall is a motivational speaker, motivational author and president of M Power Resources, LLC. Visit his Web site at www.MPowerResources.com or contact him via e-mail at charles@MPowerResources.com.