A Mile Wide & An Inch Deep

Recently I have been studying the concept of fear.

While fear definitely has a positive place in our lives - i.e., in keeping us safe from truly harmful things.

Fear also has a negative impact on unlocking our full potential.

Growing up, I used to be terrified of roller coasters. I saw no point in putting my life in the hands of a man-made metal machine.

Even as I saw my friends get off the roller coaster, still completely safe and intact, I would refuse to join them on the next one.

Fear had a grip on me, and when that happens, it often causes a form of paralysis.

It wasn’t until my loving wife encouraged me to suck it up and be a man that I finally started riding.

And to my amazement, I started loving them.

I share that story because that is often how fear presents itself in our lives.

Before you engage in fear it feels like it is a mile wide. It is like standing on the shore of the ocean looking out into the ocean’s abyss.

The scariest part of fear is often our own imagination.

As a little kid, scared of roller coasters, I was not thinking about how fun the ride would be. I was thinking about the chances of my seatbelt unbuckling and flying off the ride.

I was more scared of this false image I created in my mind than the reality staring me in the face.

Fear often feels like it is a mile wide, but in reality, it is only an inch deep.

We have all been there before. We are super nervous or fearful about a big project or an important presentation and when it is over we say, “Oh, that wasn’t that bad.”

The next time fear creeps in and starts its awful paralyzing tendencies try testing the waters.

More times than not you will find that it is only an inch deep and that you are beyond capable of walking through the waters.

Go out and make a difference.