The One Fear We Refuse to Talk About

You and I are in pursuit of our dreams, of that “one thing” we will do with our lives that will complete us. It may be a career or a calling or a simple hobby we do on the side. But make no mistake: We were made to do something.

And until we do it, we live in the tension of a divine discontent, by which the voice of God whispers in our ears, “You were made for more than this.”

Until we submit to that Voice (you might call it fate or karma or providence, but you’ve heard it, too), our lives are empty. We wander from addiction to achievement, inevitably sighing with the disillusion of old men and women whose songs have yet to be sung.

Do you know what this is? (Hint: It’s not laziness)

Neither is it ignorance or lack of opportunity. No, it’s something much more simple. And far more sinister.

Fear. That’s all we’re dealing with here, and at the same time, it’s everything. Everything that’s holding us back. Resisting us. Compelling us to settle for the status quo.

And do you know what you’re really afraid of? It’s lived in you since you were old enough to no longer entertain innocent thoughts of naively pursuing your passion. Since the child left and the rational adult invaded your life.

You’re afraid to be yourself

To be more than you are today.

Because today-you is predictable. Safe. Easy. And tomorrow-you is dangerous, precisely because it requires you to risk. To sacrifice the comfort of today for something scarier: the unknown.

So what do we do? How do we overcome this intimidated into which most of us live?

To be honest, I’m not sure. All I know is we must declare war on this feeling. It’s not healthy and it won’t get you to where you want to end up.

Once you do that, the next step is to fight every single day, understanding the fear doesn’t compete with bravery. It provokes it.

You can’t be brave without danger

If there’s something standing in your way today, take heart. Rejoice. Because it means there’s something on the other side of that obstacle. Something beautiful and bountiful. Something worth fighting for.

So let’s do what we were made to do:

• Face the fear.
• Fight like hell.
• Don’t forget who you are.

Who are you? You are Luke Skywalker, a son born to destiny but oblivious to it. You are Anne Frank, a daughter immersed in oppression who must tell her story. You are Simba, the lion cub who has forgotten his roar.

You are who you are, despite what you do. But until you do what you were made to do, you are not wholly you. So, dear one, it’s time to roar.

Need help overcoming the fear? Check out this audio program: The Writer’s Studio.