Fear of the Unknown

Shortly after my husband and I were married, we took a small trip north of Chicago for a weekend getaway. During our visit, we came across a company that offered zip-lining, and decided to give it a try.  Jumping at the opportunity to try something new, I had my doubts as to how I would feel when we actually got up there.

I am terrified of heights. But sometimes my mind makes decisions about things and voluntarily blurts them out before actually consulting with my emotions. But, that’s always been me. Act now, consequences later.

As our instructor latched us in, I found myself becoming more and more apprehensive. I smiled and nodded in return to their instructions, all the while a knot was beginning to form in the pit of my stomach.

My husband was happy as can be, so I tried to match his enthusiasm. I stepped up the edge of the wooden platform and, seconds after watching my husband disappear into the vibrant shades of green forestry, I jumped.

And guess what?

I lived.

So many people (including myself) have this sort of approach to life. There are new and exciting experiences awaiting us, but we tend to let our fears get in the way. We over-complicate a situation until we’ve created a million scenarios entirely based off of “what ifs.” And, in the end, none of the ridiculous ideas we had come true, and we find ourselves laughing at the thought that we were ever really in any danger.

Life is funny that way. We are so reluctant to take a leap into the unknown. We convince ourselves that the worst-case scenario will happen before we even act. And in doing this, we miss out on all of the possibilities we could create for our future.

Catch yourself and become aware of the significant times when fear begins to rule over. Allow yourself to take chances and jump, even if you’re scared you might fall. Life is about the acceptance that nothing is in your control. And then, life goes on.