NO FEAR

"Everyone has potential…It is an infinite resource that cannot be exhausted, but can be lost in the clouds of fear and complacency. It may take courage to embrace the possibilities of your own potential, but once you've flown past the summit of your fears, nothing will seem impossible."
~ Michael McKee
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On more than one occasion recently, I've had the chance to stand up to my fears and take a healthy swing at defeating them. On more than one occasion recently, I've made the conscious, deliberate decision to step away from the challenge instead.

Complacency?

Cowardice?

Does it really matter? Is fear by any other name less debilitating? Less awesome in its power to inhibit?

I've been thinking about this a lot of late. About the experiences, significant or otherwise, I've deprived myself of in the name of fear, all neatly justified away with an array of built-in excuses that are nothing more than lies told to avoid exposing, or confronting, a lack of confidence in my own courageousness.

I've been thinking about all of the things I want to do, the things I would do, if fear weren't the largest, sometimes even the only, obstacle standing in my way.

The list is a long one. And I've been thinking lately about how many of these things on my list are really stepping stones toward broader dreams. Dreams that will never see the light of day, if my senseless, unfounded fears have anything to say about it.

So I've been thinking.

What am I so afraid of?
Maybe it's time to find out.
Maybe, it's only me.