You’re Never Going To Live Out Your Dream Because You’re Too Afraid

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“Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are too busy living our fears.” -Les Brown

This quote makes me wonder about the other life philosophy that people so religiously push: you need to conquer your fears in order to find strength and courage. I’m sure there is some quote on brainyquotes.com that says it more eloquently with some famous source in tote, but you get the gist. 

Anyways, I usually subscribe to the latter. But maybe in my pursuit to becoming courageous, I have taken that train of thought to figuratively. You thought I was going to say literally, didn’t you? 

Well, the truth is I think I have thought it more profound than it needs to be – I’ve let it take on too many meanings, and too deep of meanings.

Really, it’s just a logical statement – once you do something you are afraid of, you become stronger.

End of story.

It doesn’t mean to endure some huge feat that makes you unhappy, though. Does it?

Sometimes, I think we put ourselves through something because we think it’s good for us. Maybe because we’ve seen others do it, or it’s some sort of wellness trend, or whatever. But when has unhappiness ever been a truly positive thing?

Sure, being unhappy comes with the seasons of life – but knowing that I may have been living a fear just for some false justification at feeling courageous or triumphant is just plain sad. 

And I think some of us have gotten used to this form of living. I’m not saying quit your day job, or stop working out because you hate it – I’m just saying to take a break to evaluate what and why you are doing what you are doing. If it isn’t to become stronger, smarter or more whole anymore – maybe you’ve already achieved all that you can from that particular venue, and it might be time to move on. 

There is a delicate balance here. It’s easy to miss it in the maelstrom of everyday life. Be careful with your spirit, it can break.