I hope your fears never stop you from going after something bigger than you. Fear might be a part of journey, but it is not the whole story. There is bravery to be found right here, where you are, even when you don’t feel fearless.
And even here, you can still say:
yes, I have a long way to go,
but I am here now,
and I’m not waiting anymore.
I’m willing to show up,
despite my fears.
I’m willing to come forth
even though I don’t know
what’s going to happen next.
You do not have to have a detailed road map to be brave. You do not have to get everyone’s approval, or hope that they will welcome you into their space. I hope that you have people in your life who are supportive and encouraging of you, but I hope you also know that it does not take a large number of people or people of a certain status in order to begin to feel like that you too, can do something that matters.
Even here, you can still be brave. Even here, you can choose to trust that your fears of not being good enough, worthy enough, smart enough, beautiful enough, or qualified enough do not disqualify from trying to make the most of this life just as much as anyone else. It does not matter how many times you have failed. It does not matter how many times you have been looked over, betrayed, and forgotten. Those things may have ignited fear within you, but they also ignited bravery within you too. And that bravery is stronger than you think. And if you still have days where the fear feels stronger than it should be, it does not mean that the bravery has been canceled out.
The same bravery you had to make it through:
the most challenging semester,
the most unsuccessful quarter,
the most painful breakup,
the worst of night of your life...
is the same bravery is within you today. Even when you are afraid.
Do not think less of yourself if you cannot be fearless. Doing it afraid is just as brave.
Sincerely,
Morgan Harper Nichols
Photograph by @damianobph
Rolle Pass, Italy
