Blog #657: Say Hello to the Old Man

FEAR.

It lives in all of us.

It’s defeating and debilitating.
It steals possibilities and experiences.

It limits lives.

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Here are four excerpts from past emails:

1. “…I’ve stayed in a job I’ve hated for years. But the thing is, I’m 48 and don’t have the courage to leave. I should quit reading your blog because you remind me of that every Thursday.”

2. “…I posted my opinion on Facebook and was humiliated. I’m now afraid to write anything on my page because I might look stupid.”

3. “Your travel stories inspire me. Nonetheless, I’m afraid if I travel, something bad will happen. Keep traveling, and I’ll keep living vicariously through you!”

4. “My family says I should open a catering business. I love cooking, but I’m afraid to take the next step. I’d be heartbroken if I failed.”

Real life.
Real fear.

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When I feel fear creeping in…

I know it’s time.

It’s time to “say hello to the old man.”

Huh?

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For me…

One giant fear has evolved into a giant motivator.

I fear one day…as a very old man…I’ll be lying in a hospital bed…knowing I probably won’t ever leave the bed…and I’ll be begging myself to know:

“WHY the freak didn’t I?”

“WHY…didn’t I go?”

“WHY…didn’t I try?”

“WHY…didn’t I do it? “

“WHY…didn’t I live brave?”

When my goals and actions are out of sync…

I say hello to the old man in the hospital bed.

S.

PS: This week…I’m motivated to write a different type of “PS.” If my writing has ever inspired you, I promise you that my words spoken from a stage will bring even more seed-planting passion. If you’re responsible for empowering a group of 200+…think about sending me an email.