Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Fearless?

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
Nelson Mandela



Wow even the late great Nelson Mandela was talking about fear . Fear is a hot topic these days. I know everyone can relate because everyone has them . I hear people wanting to live a fearless life but I don't know, speaking for myself I don't think  I will ever be fearless. 

Fearless is defined as lack of fear  I have never desired lack of fear, I have desired to triumph over the fear to push past it instead of letting it control me and my growth. Is fear like being an alcoholic who never stops desiring to have a drink but takes it day by day?  I feel like everyday I have to chose between fear or victory just like the alcoholic chooses weather to drink or not. I am using my support system, God , meditation and just the desire to want more for my life to triumph over fear.

Humility... can humility exist without having fear ? I am so honored to be blessed with the gifts that God has trusted me with . I recognized my greatness at a very early age . I am thankful for fear in a way because it keeps my ego at bay . It always has me trusting in something bigger than myself and my gifts and talents because God gives me the direction to use them in the right way. I think fear keeps me humble in a strange way.

Fear shows that I care ... If I don't care about something  I am fearless . I care about the things that I have mentioned in my previous blogs such as vulnerability which enhances my quality of life, singing which has nothing to do with me wanting the spotlight, it has everything to do with me having so much passion for it. I  believe it is my calling not just something that I am good at but something that I NEED to do. Driving and facing the fear of me not wanting to fail I will triumph over these things because I care.

What I am trying to say is what Mandela is saying, it's not about the absence of fear it's the steps that you take to have victory over that fear.Those steps build so much character and humility and it shows you what you care about ; what you stand for. I don't want to be fearless I just don't want my fears to hold me back anymore from what is mine. As we conquer these fears don't be dismayed if you feel it again because like Nelson Mandela said “After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.”
 I just don't want anyone to get discouraged out there going after fearlessness. I might be afraid every time I get in that car to drive but I will get in that car.

I think of the fears that Nelson Mandela  had to face and they make my fears seem so small.  He was a man that I am sure was afraid many times maybe even died with some fears but  he leaves a legacy of  triumph and inspiration, I just hope I can do the same.
RIP Nelson Mandela  thank you for being an example of victory over fear.