So this post has stemmed from something I've had somewhat of an epiphany over. That is my own 'fear factor'. Fear is a very powerful thing, it can make us do crazy things. I will list some of my fears for you.
1. Zombies (literally I cannot watch a zombie movie)
2. Spiders
3. Heights
4. Dark murky water
5. Being abducted
Some of these fears may be laughable but, they are fears nonetheless. So I feel like these are 'obvious' fears of things we automatically think of when someone asks us what we are scared of.
One, I really didn't realize until recently was taking risks. Guys, risks are scary! They are the 'unknown'. Unknown is a really fearful place where you have to put your trust. Now, I don't know about you but, I don't like trusting something that I'm not sure will work out.
I've recently had to break out of my shell and take these risks for things that I love, but have been scared of the risk involved.
Now I think the first one is obvious since I post about it all the time and have become some what obsessive over it. That is my motorcycle, Pancake. This was a risk for me to purchase. At the time, I didn't know a whole deal about motorcycle. The one thing I was sure of is that I LOVED riding. These are some of the thoughts that ran through my head when I was thinking about getting a bike, "WAY too much money, I need to save for school." "Who will I ride with?" "How will I transport my bike?" "I have to get gear which costs even more money." "Will I end up having to sell it?" "I am I too old to start riding?" (Granted I am only 21, but most riders start when they were kids), plus a plethora of more. I was also intimated about what other people would think of me. How sad is that? Literally think about it. Why in the world would you let what some else thinks of you, stop you from doing something you LOVE? As I thought about it more and more, I realized how insane that way of living is. While I think we should always be courteous and respect what other people think, we should not let that dictate our lives. In the end, I purchased Pancake and have loved my decisions ever since. I've improved a lot and have many scars to prove it. But the point is, I let go of my fears and did something I loved.
My next one might come as a surprise. A little known fact about me is, I LOVE to sing. I've always admired people who have angelic voices and can bring me chills. I love to sing in my car, my room, while cleaning, and of course, in the shower. It brings me such joy. Now my boyfriend Jeremy had told me that he really thinks I have potential and should take some voice lessons because it would help me get over my fear of singing for others. At first, my response was, "HAHAHA, YEAH RIGHT!". I was terrified at the thought. I was too old to start lessons. You have to start when you are little or have a miraculous talent. I was scared of what others would think of me. I was scared of being judged for my voice. I thought that I would be so horrible, my voice teacher would lose hope in me. But as I got to thinking about it, I really did want to take a few lessons. Why not? I would take private lessons so only my teacher and I would hear the trembling in my voice. Guess what guys? My voice teacher recommended GROUP lessons. She said it would be beneficial for me to hear others applying the techniques she taught. So low and behold, I found myself about a month later sitting in a class with about 8 students total. "Oh heavens, what am I doing here?". As it turns out, most everyone in my class were beginners as well.
As of now, I have been taking voice lessons for four whole months! Wahoo! Go me! I enjoy it so much. I leave after each lesson with my heart feeling lighter because I am doing something I LOVE and that brings me happiness. So I recently had a recital (I ditched out on my first one because of nerves.) Let me tell you, the nerves didn't go away for this recital. I forgot words here and there, and was off tune for some of my performance, but I DID IT! I sang in front of people. Was it scary? You bet! Almost as scary as watching a zombie movie. The point is, I took a risk, and over came the challenge. I was so proud of myself.
I guess if there is anything I would want someone to take away from this blog post is, do not let FEAR stand in the way of doing something you LOVE. Take that risk, accept the challenge, be nervous about it, then overcome it. Don't let what someone else thinks get in the way of you becoming the person you want to become. My challenge to you is, do that think you've been holding back on because of the risk. You got it!
Two of my favorite quotes I've come across are,
"Allow yourself to be a beginner. No one started off as an expert."
"Fear is not real. It is a product of thoughts you create. Do not misunderstand me. Danger is very real. But fear is a choice." Will Smith (After Earth)
So go get 'em tiger!
XOXO,
Nichole
Song I've been loving? Katy Perry, Roar.
