Scared and Afraid

When I started blogging four years ago, I experienced sheer terror when the moment came to push “Publish” on my blogs.  “What am I about to do?” 

I was releasing into the world my thoughts and ideas. 

 ~Would they be accepted or ridiculed? 

  ~Would people think more or less of me? 

   ~Would I be laughed out of town?

    ~Would anyone read these words?

Somehow, from somewhere within, I found the courage to press the button and launch each weekly blog. 

And I was scared.  This lasted for two or three months with every blog released. 

Remember the first time you faced the pitcher in fast-pitch baseball or softball? 

Remember going for that interview you desperately wanted, knowing the churning that was going on inside?

How many meetings or conversations have you sat through with closed mouth, yet wanting to stand up and right a wrong?

Fear can keep us from doing a lot of things, yet on the other side of fear, what might we find? 

On the other side of fear … that is a great thought.

Seth Godin, Neil Gaiman and other writers have given us a nudge here.

Seth says:  “You don’t have to reach the whole world with your art.  You just have to reach those who like it and will buy into your art.”

Neil says:  “Make good art.”  He doesn’t say make great art.  Just make good art.

So what are you afraid of? 

Do it anyway.

Just stick out your toe, test the water, and then step deeper until you are knee deep, waist deep, neck deep even. 

And to your surprise you don’t drown, people still come around you and love you, respect you, and some want more of what you just did.

Isn't that amazing!  We are loved for what we offer. 

The resolve comes in the doing of the deed, the singing of the song, the writing of the novel, the building of the enterprise, and the baking of the new recipe. 

It is called by another name – COURAGE!

I like courage – after the fact. 

Don’t we all? 

And the path to courage – do it anyway!

Face your fears. 

  Screw your courage to the sticking place. 

    Tighten your belt. 

      Set your cap on straight.

Grab the golden ring and pull with all your might.

Turn your fears into faith on the other side of afraid.

P Michael Biggs

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