Take the Fearless Challenge
I was having lunch with my friend Christine Cushing last week, and she gave me a copy of her book, Fearless in the Kitchen (also the name of her new TV show). As I was riding the train home, I noticed an ad for Taylor Swift’s new CD, Fearless. That night, I watched an episode of Ugly Betty and the storyline was about Mode magazine putting together a Fearless issue. (Betty decides she needs to do something fearless in order to write an article, so she tries dating bad boy).
Any time I come across a theme three times or more, especially in the same day, I stop and take notice; it means the universe is trying to tell me something important. Clearly, the message here was that I am not being fearless enough. So I’ve decided to take action. Dating a bad boy is out, since I’m happily married. But I need to get outside my box and do something I wouldn’t normally do. Or, do the things I normally do but with reckless abandon. Wow, that feels scary…and I guess that’s the point!
I’m now paying attention to any opportunities that come across my radar over the next few days which will allow me to put this intention into action. I’m open to any ideas – so what’s the most fearless thing you’ve ever done? If you can’t remember the last time you were fearless, perhaps you’d like to take this challenge with me. What fearless action will you take this week?
Dear Helen,
I am a firm believer in doing at least one thing that scares “begeebers” out of you. For me it is triathlons. I am not athletic at all and being in open water with dozens of other people clawing and scratching can be very scary, but I am always proud of myself when I finish. Plus the training keeps me healthy.
Take care,
Nadia
Loove this post and I can totally relate. Have always been a stay within my comfort zone type of person but recently I have had to cope with the ending of a very bad relationship and last week had the “fearless challenge” of letting go of all the “relationship things” (clothes, momentos, books etc…) acquired during that time.
First I thought I might be reacting emotionally but now it’s been a few days and I’m so glad I put myself into that “but what will I do without all of this stuff” place. Realizing I had to get out of the relationship was it’s own fearless challenge I guess!! I think I feel more powerful now that I did it 🙂
I loove your blog as much as I loved your “neat” show…you have an amazing gift!!
Love your blog! My husband and I are seriously considering moving two hours away from where we are now. We have three children and don’t know anyone in the new community to which we would be moving. It has always been our dream to have an acerage and an old farmhouse to restore. We have very carefully and many times weighed the pros and cons, but still I’m fearfull! Probably just the fear of the unknown. Thanks for the post. Perhaps I can be fearless now!
Hiked the Grand Canyon … still can’t believe I did it! 🙂
The feeling when I took that last step over the top of the canyon on the way up was the most amazing sense of achievement of my life. I really thought I would just die on the climb!
I am so inspired by everyone that has commented on this blog. Thank you to all who have shared, and please continue to share because I love reading your posts.
The most fearless thing I ever did was snorkelling in Barbados. While that may not sound very fearless, keep in mind that I do not swim. At all. I’ve taken lessons as an adult but I still panic in the deep end. I did it with the help of one of the snorkelling instructors and I will never forget that feeling once I conquered the fear. I was buzzing and felt like I could do anything after that.
Hi Helen – great post!
I totally agree – this week I was reminded I needed to take note of “being witness” after three reminders from the universe! I love those signs. Significant.
The hardest thing I’ve ever had to do – something that frightened me beyond belief – was to walk through long grass in summer in New York state. In Australia, this is a absolute no-no, due to snakes. The funny thing was, I don’t ever recall being taught this as a child, it just feels instinctual. In a park in NY, my American friend had forged ahead of me, and I was glued to the spot. I called out “are you sure it’s safe?” He assured me it was no problem. With overwhelming fear in my belly, I really had to psyche up to walk a hundred metres. It took all my courage to override my instinct! I still feel a bit ill thinking about it!
Hey, good luck at the NAPO awards 🙂
Wow it is nice to hear another adult who can’t swim! Thought I was the only one!
Since I turned 50 I have attempted to do at least one thing I am fearful of every year. A few years ago it was a hot air balloon ride. 2 years ago I did some (indoor) rock climbing. Get the idea I am very fearful of heights?
My hardest one is the one I am still working on — getting rid of the clutter that has buried me the last 20 years — why am I so afraid of throwing things out? I had taped some of your Neat shows (which don’t play here anymore and rewatch them to help me get past some of the holding on… it helps. thanks!)
I didn’t think of what I did as “fearless” until I read this blog. I have a fear of heights. But, on a holiday in Mexico with my husband, I para-sailed out over the ocean at our resort area. It all happened so fast I didn’t have time to think. My husband had done it (up behind a fast boat), and when they landed him back on the beach, the next thing I knew I was in the harness and the boat was heading out to sea! Unknown to me, my husband had paid for two to fly! It was amazing, and somehow the “fear of heights” seemed to disappear for a brief time. I think I will keep this in mind the next time I face a thought like “I just can’t do this” –
Over the course of more than 20 years, I continue to do things that I fear. But I wasn’t always like that.
In my late teens, I was asked to speak at a meeting to share my story. Public speaking was never something I was good at or comfortable with. It congered up images of doing presentations in grade school and having the snickers of classmates all around.
But here I was in front of a crowd of about 200 in a hotel meeting room, barely holding myself together. I focused on the one person I knew really well and spoke from my heart.
In all honesty, I do not recall what I said. After that, it was easier. I read a lot of books on building self confidence and building success within oneself. One book was “Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway” by Susan Jeffers.
Now I am comfortable speaking to groups about topics that I know and have an interest in.