{"id":10655,"date":"2016-08-11T22:47:41","date_gmt":"2016-08-12T02:47:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/margiewarrellold.flywheelsites.com\/?p=10655"},"modified":"2016-08-11T22:47:41","modified_gmt":"2016-08-12T02:47:41","slug":"what-would-you-write-on-the-courage-wall-dont-just-wish-it-do-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/margiewarrell.com\/what-would-you-write-on-the-courage-wall-dont-just-wish-it-do-it\/","title":{"rendered":"What Would You Write On The Courage Wall? Don’t Wish It. Do It."},"content":{"rendered":"

Get a new job.
\nNot worry about money.
\nEat mayo.
\nTravel to a foreign country.
\nAsk for help.
\nTry out for the Princeton crew team.
\nBike over a volcano.
\nAsk for Date #2.
\nGo into a shelter.
\nQuit my job.
\nTell my secrets.
\nLove myself.<\/p>\n

These are some of the things people have scribbled in chalk upon the \u201cCourage Wall\u201d put up by Nancy Belmont in Alexandria, Virginia, after being inspired by a TED talk.<\/p>\n

According to an article in the Washington Post<\/a>, the 20-foot blackboard wall filled up in just four hours as people flocked to record what they wished to do\u2026 if only they had the courage. The swiftness of the response reveals the struggle so many of us have with fear.<\/p>\n

Fear of failing.
\nFear of ridicule.
\nFear of vulnerability.
\nFear of making a mistake.
\nFear of being unlovable.
\nFear of looking foolish.
\nFear of change.
\nFear of going broke.
\nFear of missing out.
\nFear of rejection.
\nFear of falling flat on your face.<\/p>\n

But let\u2019s not make fear the villain. Our fears are wired in to our psychological DNA for a positive purpose \u2013 to protect u us from pain and potential threats to our safety. Once upon a time in our cave dwelling days, our instinctual fear was all that stood between our survival and death.<\/p>\n

Nowadays though, most of us don\u2019t have to worry about being killed by a marauding lion. Instead our fears are channeled toward threats to our social standing, personal identity and emotional vulnerability. And while no-one has ever \u201cdied of embarrassment,\u201d we often act as though we could. In doing so we inadvertently allow our fears \u2013 conscious and unconscious, acknowledged and suppressed \u2013 to guide our decisions and, choice by choice, shape our relationships and lives.<\/p>\n

But it doesn\u2019t have to be that way.<\/p>\n

The truth is that while no one is immune to fear, most of us have no idea how brave we can be. We think to ourselves \u201cI don\u2019t have the guts\u201d to ask the girl out in the diner or change jobs or leave a crummy relationship, but that isn\u2019t the case. We do have the guts to make big changes, and take big chances; it\u2019s just that we haven\u2019t made the decision that it\u2019s worth the risk.<\/p>\n

The risk of having someone step on our dreams or decline our invitation.
\nThe risk of trying to do something and falling short.
\nThe risk of disappointment.<\/p>\n

But here\u2019s the deal:<\/p>\n

Everything worthwhile requires us to take a risk in some way. Not taking those risks ultimately exacts a far greater toll than most of us are able, or willing, to see. Indeed, playing it safe may provide the illusion of safety, but it ultimately leaves us less secure.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n