The Only Thing We Have to Fear...
- Aubrey Cooke
- May 31, 2021
- 3 min read
A memory from May of 2011 popped up on my Facebook this evening and it read, "I've realized that the main thing holding me back is fear and that is EXACTLY what I DO NOT want holding me back! I know God is watching out for me and I will always have family and friends behind me at all times! Thanks everyone!!! <3 I'm ready and so excited!"
I pondered a minute trying to remember what I was talking about and what point of my life I was in. It came to me that I was in the season of contemplating deciding to move to Los Angeles. Boy oh boy am I thankful I did!
Roosevelt once said and I quote, "So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is...fear itself." I've written about fear before. The funny thing, looking back at this moment, like many other moments in my life is in the midst I was TERRIFIED. Mostly of the unknown and what if's. Fear has the power to hold us hostage when we should move and run when we should stay. It can rob us of our freedom, potential and a joy-filled future.
Throughout our entire lives we will be faced with situations that scare us and down right sometimes flatten us out. But I believe everyone has the power to press through and do it afraid as Joyce Meyers says.
Does it always look like Wonder Woman confidently busting through a brick wall ready to face on her enemies? (Or superman for the fellas) Sometimes. But other times it looks like packing up your belongings or what you can fit in your car and crying on and off for a 23 hour car ride into the next chapter of your life even if its a chapter you're looking forward to. (This h
as happened twice to me and both had me fearful for different reasons.)
The last couple of years for me personally have been more open ended than I'd like. It has for a lot of us as a world. Sitting still, going day to day with the same routine may feel safe but lets be real there are just somethings that we can't control no matter how still we stand. Not everyone is called to move out of state or the country but this go
es for starting that blog, business, new relationship, ending a relationship/ job, moving, staying...the list goes on.
If I hadn't had gone to LA I would have missed out on the best part of my life...thus far. I wouldn't be who I am and I sure as hell can say this website and blog would cease to exist. Moving there I was terrified of being on my own, supporting myself and going after my dreams. Leaving, was a different fear. I had proven to myself I could do anything I put my mind to yet I was having to leave a place I grew to love and call home for several reasons some of which were out of my control. I was afraid of looking like a failure, loser and getting stuck. I made the leap once, how was this any different? I was doing it yet again. This time instead of focusing on the fear, I was doing my very best to change my perspective from one of fear to bravery - despite the panic attacks and tears.
To wrap this up, I want to encourage you to ask yourself what are you afraid of that may be holding you back from potentially experiencing a great thing? I say potentially because I know from experience not all risks or journeys go how we want. That's life. Some of them suck, but at least you did it. You gave fear the middle finger and kept on going.
One of my favorite quotes is "A life lived in fear, is a life half lived." Baz Luhrmann: Strictly Ballroom
I hope this is a sign of encouragement for at least one person out there contemplating over a scary situation. If its a serious situation please seek council and professional help. You can do it and you can do it afraid! This is as much for me as the individual reading it!
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