We are afraid of truth, afraid of fortune, afraid of death, and afraid of each other. Our age yields no great and perfect persons. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Far too much of life is spent in fear. I have spent a majority of my life living some form of it every day. And I still do to some degree: fear that my secrets will be revealed, that I'll run out of money, out of love, that I'll never reach my potential, ...
But why fear? Why not just do something about it? Why not just conquer it? It seems easy. And sounds easier. But the truth is, and here's the wicked twist, fear is not only paralyzing, it is devious. My own fears, of exposure, running out of money and not reaching my true potential are just "excuses" for some deeper inhibition or misunderstanding. They, are excuses for not living my authentic life in a way that only I choose and understand. These all in some way involve other people and what they think of me, as well as how I value myself. But one cannot be valued in money or perfections.
One can, however, value the self in potential. And if that potential is constantly increasing, as life expands and grows, then maybe we aren't meant to reach it at all, rather to challenge it's limitations and continue to excede them so that the goal post continues to move away from us. If this is the case, the goal should not be to reach the goal, but to chase it endlessly and to change it fearlessly and often.
