Feel the fear, do it anyway

It's the title of a book (Susan Jeffers), I'm borrowing it for my blog.

One of the most insightful statements i've read that sticks with me in every experience is "Brave people aren't unfamiliar with fear. They're intimate with fear. Brave people are cowards who feel the fear, but do things anyhow."

How often do we feel fear and want to bail, just get the heck out of the situation? I know i've done it many times. Thing is, when you start to become mildly familiar with your fear, allow it to enter in to your circle of friends (or maybe just acquaintances), understand it a little better, its much less scary. If it doesn't get less scary, at least its more familiar. And usually its the parts that are unfamiliar that we fear.

Comments

[bar stools]

very inspiring article. I hope I can deal with fear better in the future.

[nicole]

It's irrational let fear decide what you do do: wear your seat belt to avoid death/injury.

vs.

Make decisions because you are educated on the outcome: wear seat belt b/c it can keep you safer if there's an accident.

Therefore it seems just as irrational to let fear determine what you don't do.

At least that's the lie I tell myself.

[Deepthi Nair]

I like the way u have made your point..coz everyone tells about facing your fear like its a piece of cake....
Thankyou!

[Dr.Mani]

While I trained in heart surgery in London, I once asked the consultant after a particularly tough and hairy operation if he ever got nervous or scared before surgery.

His answer remains in my mind (and serves as my guide). He said:

"The day I stop being afraid about performing heart surgery on a child, I will retire!"