I wasn't the first to say it and I won't be the last, but for the record, I wholeheartedly agree. This quote was, at one point, my idea of the ultimate cliché. When I learned, however, that it isn't about doing scary things - it's about doing things that specifically scare YOU - my life was forever changed.
I define the things that scare me as anything that I cannot do without courage. Watching a documentary about the Long Island serial killers for example, might be scary, but it doesn't take courage to watch it. Killing the centipede in my shower, for example, is also scary, but doesn't (for me) take courage. Other things, stranger and more specific things, do, however, take courage. These things may not make sense to outsiders, but they make perfect, personal sense to me. I spent a week, both for fun and for blogging purposes, documenting the things that I did each day that I could not have done without courage. Its a risky and revealing list of experiences to share. Take a look.
I define the things that scare me as anything that I cannot do without courage. Watching a documentary about the Long Island serial killers for example, might be scary, but it doesn't take courage to watch it. Killing the centipede in my shower, for example, is also scary, but doesn't (for me) take courage. Other things, stranger and more specific things, do, however, take courage. These things may not make sense to outsiders, but they make perfect, personal sense to me. I spent a week, both for fun and for blogging purposes, documenting the things that I did each day that I could not have done without courage. Its a risky and revealing list of experiences to share. Take a look.
1 | I'm afraid of: Living a life that others don't find impressive. So, this week, I: Didn't over-exaggerate the coolness of my current life when answering the question, "So, what are you up to now?"
2 | I'm afraid of: Open conversations about my physical imperfections. So, this week, I: Entertained a public conversation about my acne. A customer at Starbucks brought it up in front of a big crowd, and though I normally shut it down out of embarrassment, I courageously acknowledged the truth: everyone sees it. So, let's talk.
3 | I'm afraid of: Not being seen as valuable, anywhere and everywhere I go. So, this week, I: Went out for breakfast with a few coworkers who could have very likely found me to be unrelatable/boring/a lot less than valuable outside of our shared environment (work).
4 | I'm afraid of: Doing things that others don't understand and how small their judgements/questions make me feel. So, this week, I: Bought something I've wanted for so, so long, but refused to buy due to fear of judgement. Glasses. Literally... glasses. Clear-lensed, non-prescription, no-function-but-fashion glasses. It took courage to buy them, it'll take courage to wear them, and it sure as hell took courage for me to announce to all of you that the glasses you'll soon see me wearing from time to time are fake and unnecessary.
5 | I'm afraid of: Becoming one to take the path of least resistance. So, this week, I: Said something when one of my managers used the word "retarded" in such an intellectually inaccurate manner.
6 | I'm afraid of: Risking it big without the resources to make it work. So, this week, I: (true story) Tried to buy the Bentley Food Truck off of the Sodexo Manager while in line behind her for a grilled cheese. I was scared of the possibility of her saying yes and then having no idea as to how to proceed, but it's cool - she said no.
7 | I'm afraid of: Being overestimated and then under-delivering, therefore not being seen as "highly capable". So, this week, I: Had a conversation in Spanish with a new friend without attempting to lower their immediate expectations of me by first saying something along the lines of "Oh, my Spanish isn't great, by the way."
8 | I'm afraid of: Someone being wholeheartedly into me before I'm wholeheartedly into myself. So, this week, I proudly: Point blank hit on someone that I'm interested in. A first for Halle! (Great story, by the way. You're all invited to the wedding.)
As you can see, a lot of the things listed above would not be commonly defined as "scary things", but definitely scare ME as an individual. It probably wouldn't make sense to you, nor take courage from you, to order a pair of glasses or attempt to buy a food truck. These things did, however, push me in the right direction.
2 | I'm afraid of: Open conversations about my physical imperfections. So, this week, I: Entertained a public conversation about my acne. A customer at Starbucks brought it up in front of a big crowd, and though I normally shut it down out of embarrassment, I courageously acknowledged the truth: everyone sees it. So, let's talk.
3 | I'm afraid of: Not being seen as valuable, anywhere and everywhere I go. So, this week, I: Went out for breakfast with a few coworkers who could have very likely found me to be unrelatable/boring/a lot less than valuable outside of our shared environment (work).
4 | I'm afraid of: Doing things that others don't understand and how small their judgements/questions make me feel. So, this week, I: Bought something I've wanted for so, so long, but refused to buy due to fear of judgement. Glasses. Literally... glasses. Clear-lensed, non-prescription, no-function-but-fashion glasses. It took courage to buy them, it'll take courage to wear them, and it sure as hell took courage for me to announce to all of you that the glasses you'll soon see me wearing from time to time are fake and unnecessary.
5 | I'm afraid of: Becoming one to take the path of least resistance. So, this week, I: Said something when one of my managers used the word "retarded" in such an intellectually inaccurate manner.
6 | I'm afraid of: Risking it big without the resources to make it work. So, this week, I: (true story) Tried to buy the Bentley Food Truck off of the Sodexo Manager while in line behind her for a grilled cheese. I was scared of the possibility of her saying yes and then having no idea as to how to proceed, but it's cool - she said no.
7 | I'm afraid of: Being overestimated and then under-delivering, therefore not being seen as "highly capable". So, this week, I: Had a conversation in Spanish with a new friend without attempting to lower their immediate expectations of me by first saying something along the lines of "Oh, my Spanish isn't great, by the way."
8 | I'm afraid of: Someone being wholeheartedly into me before I'm wholeheartedly into myself. So, this week, I proudly: Point blank hit on someone that I'm interested in. A first for Halle! (Great story, by the way. You're all invited to the wedding.)
As you can see, a lot of the things listed above would not be commonly defined as "scary things", but definitely scare ME as an individual. It probably wouldn't make sense to you, nor take courage from you, to order a pair of glasses or attempt to buy a food truck. These things did, however, push me in the right direction.
Moral of the story here - Using courage on a daily basis is one of the easiest ways to keep making progress in life. Look how far it's gotten me in just one week's time. I encourage you to pay more attention to the things that you cannot do without courage, figure out the underlying fears behind them, and get to work. In the meantime, I'll be using my courage to do the following really scary things:
Plan a move to Miami (scared that my expectations are too high)
Plan a move to Miami (scared that my expectations are too high)
Sign up to be on Survivor (scared that I'll ruin my reputation of being super strategic)
Get a perm (scared of everyone's commentary)
Write a book (scared that what I have to say isn't important enough)
Get in shape (scared that change won't last)
And last but not least, sign up to bike, once again, across the country, Summer 2018 (scared of everything).
Tune in next week to see if ordering a 6 ft Christmas Tree by mail was a good idea, if I've caved and made a Centipedes of Instagram page yet, and if we've chosen a date for the wedding (the last one's a joke). Happy Friday and make it a great week!
P.S. Go spend one worthwhile dollar on the lovely "Inspire Me!" quote book, compiled by a college student and her dad. All proceeds go to St. Jude's and all wisdom goes to you!
P.S. Go spend one worthwhile dollar on the lovely "Inspire Me!" quote book, compiled by a college student and her dad. All proceeds go to St. Jude's and all wisdom goes to you!