ARTICLE - Connecting Courage and Fear
I have seen many quotes start out this way. The ending is what caught my attention. "Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever, but the cautious do not live at all. From now on you'll be traveling the road between who you think you are and who you can be. The key is to allow yourself to make the journey."
- Meg Cabot
How do I allow myself to make the journey…fear and all? How do I stay focused on the greater vision that's more important than the fear?
The questions go together. Being brave and doing uncomfortable things relies on the fact that there is a goal greater than your fears.
I have been sharing my vision with new people here in Seattle, after recently relocating. When I meet with people to network, there is a thought that tries to take up residence in my head that says "I really hate meeting people cold, and what am I going to wear anyway." Will I let it stop me from taking action? When it stops me, it's a moment of staying in my comfort zone and living cautiously. When I hear the thought and risk it anyway, it's my rock solid stance that I am working on something greater than me and my measly old fear.
Here is my three part strategy for how I have been feeling the fear and doing it anyway.
1) Keep going…inch along with each moment, just like the caterpillar I watched cross the sidewalk today with all sorts of obstacles and dangers in his way. He never stopped, and finally made it to the lush grass on the other side. I remind myself that moving bravely in any direction feels better than standing still in fear.
2) Hold steady…know what I know, and speak what I believe. I stay grounded and trust that my mission in life is unfolding in divine timing. I feel my feet on the ground as I walk, and feel the strength in my body to embrace every day as a new adventure without judgement.
3) Live optimism…stay in the positive and find the funny in my life. I remind myself daily of the Tao story with the sage who said "Who's to say what is good and what is bad?" The less I judge my experiences, the more freedom I feel.
Keep going with an eye toward positivity, Hold steady that your contribution is unique and NEEDED in the world, and Live optimism because that is one way you can help create a healthy and positive world.
Life is a series of experiences to feel and embrace. Make yours organic and orgasmic ones. 
Tags: confidence, courage, fear
