what are you afraid of?

"Always do what you are afraid to do." 

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

I came across that quote yesterday, and I just had to add it to my growing collection of quotes.  Quotes inspire me.  I've been collecting quotes since I was a little girl.  I was one of those students who always began or ended her essays with a quote.  I know, it can be a little cheesy, but still, I love them.  (Again, may be one of many reasons why I love Criminal Minds ... the show always begins and ends with a quote.)

Anyhow, the quote above made me think and ponder about a lot of things because I know that many times it is fear that holds me back.  Holds me back from taking action sooner than I should have.  I also know that I'm not alone in that.  Fear holds a lot of people back.  Maybe all of us in some way. 

So, what do we do about it?  Well, I always ask myself, what can I live with?  The answer to that question usually begins the end of my long and difficult contemplation period.  And I have found that in the end, fear oftentimes became my ultimate decision-maker.  One way or the other.  And I have also found that most of the time it was the greater of two fears that won my course of action.  

Funny how life works out that way.  And how great is this thing called perspective.  Because oftentimes, later on down the road, no matter how much I sometimes regretted choosing the greater fear over the other, I have always found that the path I was so afraid to take has led me to very wonderful things.   

So, how about you?  What fear will you take on today?

*photo via