Consider a time of great fear in your life. How did it turn out? Were you able to become bigger than the problem? For most of us, the answer to this question is, "Things turned out alright, and yes, I was able to become bigger than the problem."
It is amazing what happens to us when we accept our feelings of fear and see them through. I recall a time when I sat on my porch in a developing country on the verge of civil war. I could hear gunshots and angry armed men demand that residents open their doors to them. I sat there thinking, "Am I next? What will happen?" As I did this, I really let in the fear. I imagined my house being invaded and all of my possessions being taken away. What would I have left? I'd have me left, with my education, my gifts, my earning potential, and really everything that was important to me. As long as I lived, nothing of significance would be lost. The fear was gone. I felt peace. In the end, nothing happened. A civil war did not break out at that time and life went on. The country was in virtual chaos, but almost nothing could phase me. I had changed.
Of course this was not the end of my growth in dealing with fear. There are many things in my life that are more important to me than anything I had at that time, especially the members of my own family. Still, when I face challenges, I try to remember what I learned that day, now more than 20 years ago. I let the fear in and ask myself, "What is the worst thing that could happen?" Every time I do this, I find that I cross a new threshold of growth.
In the Chinese language, the words for crisis and opportunity are the same. That makes sense. Every crisis, challenge or fear that we face is an opportunity to get bigger than the problem. What is really amazing is that as humans, we have what it takes to succeed. We do what we need to do and then one day look back and say to ourselves, "Look how far I have come!" It is like hiking up the side of a mountain. With each step we go higher until we reach the summit and look back at an astounding view.
What an amazing and beautiful journey each of us travels during our time on earth. May you grow as the great person you are with each fear, with each challenge you face.
