The Doorway to Growth

As a boy, I called the feeling known as fear, fun. A free spirited human moving without a care in the world, taking risk climbing, falling, speeding, speaking my mind, lustfully living, experimenting with all the boundaries of life. Somewhere along the way mortality and self doubt crept in introducing me to concepts like fear of pain, rejection, and even death, but mostly pain and rejection. With experience, I better understand the balance of fear. Certainly, I have limits, but have used the feeling of fear, the nervous buzz in my gut, the sweaty palms, the sleepless nights, as the doorway to something wonderful that lies on the other side. With dutiful calculation of the risk, I step through fears door. Once on the other side, a beauty within me appears, regardless of the outcome, a confidence badge for being courageous, for taking the risk when everything was telling me no. I find personal growth.

Fear Monster

Together for life, bonded by fear, this monster and me, we are always near.

His silent whispers, deep in my head, "failure, death and the worst, rejection, I fear."

With walls thick as boulders, standing firm on our doubts, we never challenge his thoughts as they might just work out.

The mountain too steep, the water too cold, the love was too much for this unworthy soul.

It’s better to stay silent, not play in the rain, the love will die too, confirming your pain.

Bigger walls are the answer, so pile on the bricks, listen to the monster, fear will certainly be the fix.

Stay tuned for the sequel to this ditty where I manage fear to grow and shine brighter than the sun!