"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.... You must do the thing you think you cannot do" -- Eleanor Roosevelt
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"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.... You must do the thing you think you cannot do" -- Eleanor Roosevelt |
         
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Alive & Well ArchivesOctober 2001**************************************************** TODAY'S QUOTE: "Feel the fear and do it anyway." -Susan Jeffers **************************************************** TODAY'S TOPIC: Breaking Through Your Fears
I love that quote --– "Feel the fear and do it anyway!" Have you ever experienced the sense of freedom and empowerment that comes from breaking through your fears?
Let me give you an example of the power of breaking through your fears. I am afraid of fire. When I was in 10th grade chemistry class, I lit my finger on fire, and I’ve been afraid of fire ever since. I usually don’t even like to light candles in my house, because I don’t like the match that close to my hand.
Last month while I was in Hawaii, I faced my fear of fire. I did a 40 foot firewalk. While I did not walk directly on fire, I walked on coals that were between 1200 and 2400 degrees Fahrenheit. Mentally, I looked forward to this, but I was terribly afraid. What if I burned my foot when I had only walked a few feet, and I still had a long way to go? What if I tripped? All these questions popped up for me. But I knew that once I made it to the other side, I would feel incredibly empowered.
It was pitch dark outside, so as I lined up to go across, the only thing I could really see were red hot coals. It was hot and humid in Hawaii, and we had 18 lanes of fire. So I felt the heat at a pretty intense level. I could smell the coals, and I heard the people around me preparing. Thus, all my senses were very aware and tuned into the fire.
As I waited in line, I clapped my hands and said “yes” over and over. This helped to mentally prepare me for the journey across the firewalk. Of course, I was feeling strong in line – that is until I was second in line. At that point, reality set in, and the fear came. But when it was my turn, I stepped up without even hesitating, and I marched across the 40 foot lane.
When I reached the other side, I celebrated like crazy. You see, when I reached the other side, I felt an incredible sense of empowerment. I was terribly afraid before starting. But I felt the fear, and I did it anyway! There’s nothing better than that my friends. There’s nothing more empowering than knowing you are more powerful than your fears. There’s nothing better than knowing you can break though your fears and control your life anytime you choose.
For me, this firewalk experience is really just a symbol for breaking through my fears. It’s a symbol I’ve taken and applied to other areas of my life. When I feel myself getting afraid now, I remind myself of the power that comes when I break through my fears. In fact, since returning from Hawaii, I’ve already applied this lesson to a new relationship and to my business. It feels mighty good to do it too.
Here’s what I know to be true my friends. If you live in fear, you truly stop living. Your fears will stop you from having the life you want. It’s natural to be afraid. I don’t know anybody who doesn’t have some fears. But if you want to live an outstanding life, you cannot let your fears stop you. If you want to truly live, you must feel the fear and do it anyway.
Since September 11, we’ve been bombarded by news about real and threatened terrorists attacks. We hear about the anthrax scare daily. Many people are living in fear now. If you are one of them, I urge you to stop living in fear. Feel the fear and do it anyway. Feel the fear but keep on living. If you’ve wanted to take a vacation but are afraid to fly, get on the plane anyway. Life is precious, and if you allow your fears to stop you, you cannot experience life fully. ***************************************************** Coaching Challenge ***************************************************** Over the next week, identify at least one of your fears. Perhaps you’re afraid of telling someone you love him/her, because you’re afraid of the person’s response. Perhaps you’re afraid to call a potential client, because you fear rejection. Perhaps you’re afraid to get on an airplane. Identify the fear. Then take an action step to break through the fear. Tell the person you love him/her. Make the phone call. Get on the airplane. Then celebrate like crazy!!
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