I read a FB post this week that said "Fear - just a thought: No one is afraid of heights, they are afraid of the fall. No one is afraid to play, they are afraid to lose. No one is afraid of the dark, they are afraid of what’s in it. No one is afraid to say “I love you”, they are afraid of the response !" - RaeAnn
So sadly true. The fact of human nature is that we will do more to avoid the possibility of something negative than we will do to pursue the things we desire! So because of the risk of losing, we don't play and never get to win - because of the risk of rejection, we don't love and never get the thrill of being loved - because of the risk of falling, we never climb to see the view.
And the only thing worse than experiencing these horrible things, is to be blindsided by them. So being the "smart" people we are, we just expect the worst at all times. Why is it that some people are more comfortable with failure or chaos? Because it fits their expectations. Success and happiness
cannot be trusted - after all, we've been taught "all good things must come to an end?" Who wrote that anyway?
I love the paradox of a flower's strength. They seem so delicate, yet will determinedly push their way through dirt, rock, even concrete to get a chance to bloom. They actually require incredible strength to fight for the opportunity to be their most fragile.
Why do I make my fate certain by living in fear rather than living in possibility? Why do I shrink my existence to a realm of perceived safety at the cost of really getting to feel the sun and bloom in all my beautiful vulnerability?
I'd love to hear from some others of strength - how are you going to begin to RISK again?
Wow, for someone so concrete, this is very abstract. :)
ReplyDeleteI can get very insecure and nervous about trying something I think I might not be able to handle but have always pushed through it because I knew in the end it only took a little jump over the hurtle to see myself conquer. Once that jump is made, its easier to jump the next one. And the outcome of the jump might not turn out the way expected but success is in the simple fact that I jumped. In my opinion, life would be meaningless if there was not a challenge to face and conquer. Whether its a personal challenge, a social challenge, an occupational challenge, a relational challenge and so on. I believe that is what you are so eloquently saying. Beautifully written.
Wonderfully said Beth. I have learned that failure, even though painful at times, is better than not trying at all. I am often consumed with the way the outcome appears to others. When in actuality the process of living through the experience is more important because it is the fuel that takes me to a new level of the fuller life.
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