Getting Real about Fear

What Lies Beneath My Obsession With Courage

I’ve been feeling a lot like a walking contradiction lately.

I am obsessed with cultivating courage. I am absolutely certain we are all capable of more courage than we think. I am furious about the many forces in our world that make us feel powerless and presume to have the right to exercise power over us.

And I’m afraid. A lot. And often.

I’m even afraid to write this. I’m afraid to admit that I’m fearful and to acknowledge what I’m afraid of. But here goes.

I’m afraid of making a fool of myself (though, with age, I’m less sure why that matters.)

I’m afraid of letting fear stop me from fully living my life.

I’m afraid of some of the ordinary things we all fear.

And I’m afraid of the future of democracy and the natural world.

I fear life may become increasingly difficult to navigate because of ongoing political and environmental disruptions. I’m especially afraid about how this might impact the people I love most — my children.

And I’m afraid there is little I can do to influence this.

Honestly, that’s about it at the moment.

Of course, as someone who has spent a lifetime well-acquainted with fear, I could give you a long list of things I’ve feared in the past: some of which came to pass, others that didn’t.

But right now, it’s mainly about these things.

And this is what brings me to courage.

Because courage is a choice.

Courage can be developed.

Courage is what’s called for.

And because I know that if we aren’t honest about what we fear, we don’t find our way to being more courageous about them.

So, my invitation for the week: Consider acknowledging one thing you’re afraid of. You might be surprised by the relief it brings — and the opening to its alternative.