I have been writing these blogs consistently for almost five years now. I just realized that while I sincerely hope our audience enjoys reading them, they’ve also brought clarity to various issues in my own life.
My podcast partner, Teresa, loves to journal. I don’t journal, and when I try, I last about three or four days before I give up on the experiment. I never kept a diary either. Not sure why, but journaling will most likely never be “my thing.” However, I am finding that blogging helps me process issues and better understand my personal life events and made me aware of my choices.
During the month of August, our theme has centered on being bold and managing fear. Such an odd topic for me and one that certainly challenges me. Why? Because while I am routinely described as strong, at my core I can be a bit of a scaredy cat. I didn’t stop sleeping with the lights off at night until I was almost thirty. The smallest sound at night startles me. I am the type of person who sees danger at almost every turn. Both my husband Nashid and Teresa sometimes say to me, “You worry about everything.” Nashid has been telling me that for years, and I got so used to hearing it, I just began to dismiss it when he said it. Then when Teresa and I began working closely together on our podcast and she began saying the same thing, I thought that there must be some truth to it.
I am the type of person who works hard to minimize risks. I rationalize this by thinking that I am far too busy to clean up mishaps in my life. Better to proactively plan to avoid dangers and potential mishaps. I always believed I was acting smart by avoiding scary, unfamiliar settings and situations. That can be smart, but it also can be limiting.
Avoiding risk may keep us safe, but it can also keep us from truly living. There’s a fine line between being cautious and being trapped by fear. While I’ve always been inclined to play it safe, I’m beginning to realize that this approach, while comfortable, might be holding me back from more fully experiencing life.
The truth is, living fearlessly isn’t about never being afraid. It’s about feeling the fear and doing it anyway. It’s about recognizing that the things that scare us most often have the greatest potential to help us grow. When we avoid new experiences, we also avoid the possibility of discovering new strengths, new joys, and new passions.
Stepping into the unknown, no matter how frightening, is how we build resilience and courage. Every time we face a fear, we gain a little more confidence, a little more faith in our ability to handle whatever comes our way. And that’s how we start living more fully, more boldly.
So, as I continue to write and reflect, I’m committing to embracing the boldness we’ve been discussing. I’m challenging myself to take more risks, to step into unfamiliar territory, and to trust that I’ll be okay, no matter what happens. I invite you to join me in committing to facing our fears on this journey so we can live the full, fearless lives we deserve.
Lou
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