Ever notice how fear can be both scary and empowering?
It’s a complex feeling that can either hold us back, or be a catalyst for personal growth.
Allow me to share a recent experience on our farm that reminded me of fear’s amazing hidden power.
Fears on a Farm
Though I’ve lived on our farm for over 33 years, I have yet to get comfortable around farm equipment.
The noise, the size, and the potential dangers of big equipment have always scared me.
The first time I saw a grain combine on the road, it looked like a moving house on wheels!
I was astonished!
But despite my apprehensions, I’ve had to learn to operate various pieces of farm equipment.
Occasionally my husband needs me to do something other than the more ordinary driving of a tractor.
Recently he had me raise him 30-feet in the air using the tele-handler.
Something so second-nature to him, is anxiety inducing for me.
My heart pounds and I feel like crying.
I’m holding his life in my hands, for goodness sake!
But the necessity outweighs my desire to run and hide.
And so, I’ve learned something through this fear:
Valuable Insight
Fear is what makes me good at operating the equipment.
That fear actually makes me more cautious, reliable and attentive.
I am exact in following his instructions.
I respect the power and risks involved, so I’m extremely careful and focused.
There’s no chance of me become cocky or careless.
It has turned me into a better and more capable person, even if I have yet to completely overcome the fear itself.
The more experience I get, the less negative power the fear has, and the more fear becomes a useful tool.
Invitation
So, I invite you to reflect on areas of your life where fear may be holding you back.
Are there decisions to be made that make your heart pound and you want to run and hide?
What if, instead of avoiding or suppressing that fear, you allow it to activate your senses and push you towards growth?
Fear can be your secret weapon in making you more careful, deliberate, and ultimately, more capable and successful.
Whether it’s in your business, relationships, or personal life, fear can help you become the best version of yourself.
Embrace it as a guide, an ally that propels you forward.
Remember, it’s natural to feel fear.
But now that we know its potential, let’s embrace the fear and harness its power, and watch as it transforms you into a more resilient, capable, and successful individual.
Much love my fearless friend,
