Do One Thing Every Day That Scares You
-Eleanor Roosevelt
On my bathroom mirror is taped a postcard, black background with bold, white capital letters forming this statement.
Everyday I see this. Some days it is more profound than others. Some days it is simply an affirmation of my chosen path. Some days it is a reminder of how lucky I am to be healthy, intelligent and alive. And some days, it is a small burden to bear, one I am thankful I can choose. But as often as possible, it is a motto I strive to live by.
I’ve had a variety of people inquire about this postcard, from friends, to clients, even to my mom. Some inquire as to what it means, what it means to me, what am I suggesting, or even state “that seems like a bad idea”. Surely every person can interpret it in their own way and for those who are not accustomed to risk or challenge or facing fear, this quote may not resonate with them positively, may even seem foolish. Yet this quote has made my life better. It has driven me to pursue dreams. It has made difficult decisions easier. It’s helped me form healthy boundaries and more importantly, stick to them. It’s allowed me to forge deeply meaningful relationships, end abusive ones, and actively seek new, empowering ones. It has pushed me in a process of self-examination that is invaluable.
It doesnt interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing. It doesnt interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive. -Oriah Mountain Dreamer
Life is full of challenge from speaking our first words to taking our first steps, from toddling through the doors of kindergarten to raising your hand for the first time in grade school in answer to a question; from talking to your parents about the “birds and the bees” to taking a deep breath, a big swallow and finally asking that cute girl or boy on a date; from choosing a college out of state, away from home, to picking a career that your family would not have chosen for you; from choosing a “single” life to choosing a partner in life; from bearing children to making a personally responsible decision not to. Challenge will always be there. So will choice. And yes, oftentimes fear.
There is another quote I love and it goes something like this:
“Hate is not the opposite of Love. Fear is”. I choose Love. Therefore, I must face my fears. And that is what defines that first quote for me: To face my fears, step out into the world and challenge myself on a daily basis. In so doing, I find my strength grows and with it my will, my passion, my self confidence and my self-love. And when all those things are strong in me, my best self becomes comes forth and I contribute to the world in a healthy, positive fashion.
Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it. -Johann Wolfgang VanGoethe
To sum all of this up, I will end with one more of my favorite quotes. This is from Marianne Williamson.
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
Let me repeat that last bit:
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
Liberate yourself and someone else. Do one thing every day that scares you.
Namaste, Lauri Glenn
I’d love to hear your thoughts! If you’d like to share a story of what this quote means to you or how you live in this fashion, please email to: truckeetahoemassage@gmail.com