Chance Fear. We spend our lives being afraid of things. Afraid of heartbreak, afraid of failure, afraid of dark, spiders, thunder, illness, the list could go on. In the end, we wind up being afraid of life.
I spent a good portion of my life asking permission for everything I did. I was afraid to mess up or get in trouble. Then after living completely alone in a foreign country for several months, I realized that I was still looking to ask someone for permission.
I was alone, but it felt like I needed someone to tell me it was okay for me to travel, to meet new people, to try new things, to explore. Then I realized that wasn't how I wanted to live anymore.
All of this came to me after reading a quote online, "The question isn't who is going to let me, it's who is going to stop me." As cliche as it sounds, it changed my life. I worked with this idea for a while and came up with my own new way of thinking...of living.
Chance Fear.
This became my new moto. Everyone who heard it initially thought that I was crazy, but it doesn't mean what they thought it did.
It doesn't mean to put yourself in danger or to do crazy, stupid things. It simply means to take a chance at something, even if it scares you.
Travel to a new country, even though you don't speak the language. Try a new activity, even though you might suck at it. Ask your boss for a raise, even though he might say no.
The worst thing that can happen is that you fail, but if you never even try, you've already failed by default.
So then what is the worst thing that could happen?
That you succeed?
That someone takes notice?
That you take notice of yourself?
Take a chance at being afraid of something. Take a chance at succeeding. Take a chance at enjoying your life.
Chance Fear.
