Sometimes I wonder if I have what it takes to be the man I aspire to be – to do the things I want to do and to go to places I want to go. I wonder if the moves I make are the right moves, whether the choices I make are the right choices. Sometimes my fears get the best of me and sometimes I wrestle them down and win. Other times I feel like running and running and running away from it all, like hitting an escape button if you would call it that.
Other times I run half way and turn back and go looking for a fight. Other times when it happens I get a grip as it happens and stand to fight my dragons for my piece of ground. Often when this happens it is because I would have remembered who I am and where I have been. When it happens it is because I would have remembered to take a look over my shoulder and seen the fresh trail of dragons I slain. In such instances I remember who I truly am – a dragon slayer.
Now I don’t know about you, but I find that it serves me to remember my victories rather my failures. If you can remember where you’ve been and what you have done what reason would you have to doubt yourself or your abilities. At the same time if you continually remember your failings and short comings, by what right will you earn your confidence?
I cannot tell the kind of person you are, but I can imagine that like most progressive people you have your fears, fears that if left unchecked will probably imprison you to your past. That is why it is important to realize that you are not the only one that feels fear. We all do, even the best and the brightest amongst us. However, may I quickly point out here that fear is just an emotion that is not only manufactured but that is also reinforced by your own emotion.
That is why the best thing to do when you feel fear is to do the thing you fear. Not only does that slay your dragons but it also builds your self esteem and confidence.  Some people are said to be courageous, but courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is the ability to feel fear and still go ahead and do the thing you fear. It is often said that the difference between a coward and hero is that a hero is braver for one minute longer.
Fear can also be seen as your guardian angel, it can be seen as being there to serve and protect. It is there to alert you that you are leaving your comfort zone and venturing into unfamiliar territory and thus has to be prepared. However, most people don’t understand the emotion of fear. They think it means they should stop what they are trying to accomplish simply because they are scared. Being scared should not stop you from following your objectives through, because if you are to take counsel of your own fear then you are going to be stuck for a very long time.
It is often said that a coward dies a thousand deaths before they die. This is because their cowardice denies them the opportunity to engage fully in life’s activities. A coward doesn’t love for fear of being heart broken, doesn’t dance for fear of embarrassment, doesn’t take risk or venture out on their own in the world of business. No matter how talented or gifted a person is. If that person has debilitating condition of cowardice no one will enjoy that person’s gifts.
Enough about cowards, what about you? What have you been meaning to do or be but have not had the courage to start as of now? What would happen if you started today? What is the worst possible thing that will happen if your fears come real? If they really do become real, would they really be that bad? Think about, what are you so scared of anyway? Take it from me, there is nothing to fear but fear itself. The only thing that is real about fear is fear itself. Beyond that fear is your supreme guarding angel that should not let stop you.
Lets Sithole has been inspiring and impacting lives for the last 10 years. For more daily inspirational insights you can join him on facebook. Alternatively you can follow his blog at www.straighttalkforpersonalchange.blogspot.com
