The only thing we have to fear is...

     Immortal words spoken by Franklin D. Roosevelt.  I'm pretty sure you've all heard them at least once in your life, probably while sitting in a Jr. High or High School history or government class.  I am noticing that they are true words.  We live our lives in fear.  Fear of what might happen tomorrow, fear of what might happen next year, heck, fear of what might happen in the next few minutes.  I'm no different.  I fear things just like the rest of the 7 billion people on this planet.

     Right now, my biggest fear is this weigh-in on Wednesday.  I think it sucks that my job and the last 16 years of my career are being dangled over my head, but I understand why.  I understand that I am not where I should be and that I need to get there. Fear can be a powerful motivator when applied correctly.  There are other things that I fear. I fear what the rest of my life is going to be like now that the relationship I worked for 7 years to build is gone.  Every time I find myself attracted to someone new, I fear what they are thinking of me. Are they judging me? Will they hear my story and laugh and walk away? Or worse yet, not even listen.

     Maybe its part of our Fight-or-Flight system.  I find, as I am growing older, that I have changed when it comes to fear.  It used to stop me dead in my tracks. I would feel like a deer caught in the headlights of a semi on a dark, snowy highway.  Everybody knows what I'm talking about, even if they won't admit it. You come face to face with what you are fearing, and there is a point where you have to make a decision.  Do I press forward, or do I go backwards. Do I move to safety, or do I risk getting splattered across the grill. Lately, I have been able to see that point approaching with a little bit of clarity. I can see that I will have to make that decision soon. Whether its in my profession, my daily life, or talking to a beautiful woman.  I'm also finding, that more and more, I want to press forward, I want to take a chance.  I am sick of living my life in fear of what might happen, to the point that it passes me by.

     So, here is my challenge to you.  Next time you find yourself in that situation where you are facing your fear. Have courage. Step forward and take a chance...  you never know what might happen to your life if you do.