“I learned courage was not the absence of fear, but....."

My daughter of 12 keeps surprising me with her determination?that she does not want to live life with regret, and ?not ‘come out of her comfort zone’. This ?trait has ?thus far served her well, in pushing her through her anxiety, and fear of trying new things.

On our family?vacation, my daughter and son, and a few of their cousins had the opportunity to do an introduction to Scuba Diving lesson, which included a shore entry dive?in the Ocean.

During the lesson the Instructor?went through all the equipment, signs, what could go wrong, what procedures you should follow etc. As the Dive Instructor spoke I was watching my daughter closely.?I?observed ?my daughters’ eyes growing bigger and bigger, and the worry starting to form.

When it was time to get kitted up, my daughters eyes welled up as she came to talk to me. I let her know it was her choice, and if she did not want to do the dive ?she could do it another time (if she wanted).

During this?5-10 min talk with her, she decided that she did not want to miss out and have any regrets in not doing the dive with her brother and cousins.

Her Uncles and Aunts (and I think Instructors) were amazed as she suited up, as they would have waged on her not proceeding. ?It would have been much easier for her to say,?“No, I’m not going under water to be with the fish!” How many of us would have stayed in our comfort zone, and?not have worked though our fear/ anxiety?

When I saw the under-water videos, out of all the kids she looked the most relaxed and at ease.

She had shown unbelievable courage and will power to do the first dive. When her brother and cousins decided to the Full Course, she ?decided that she has tried it, and it was not for her. One and done!

The right amount of ?‘not living with regret’ ?can motivate individuals to step out of their comfort zone and be the motivator you require?to accomplish things you never thought you could do.

Don’t let the Fear prevent you from making that sales call, asking for that raise you deserve, proposing to the person you love, moving across the world etc.…………..What is your fear? How will you overcome it to prevent your regret?

“ I learned courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers fear.” – Nelson Mandela

We all live with some Fear and Anxiety in our daily lives. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you are unable to control it, and it effects your daily life.

Convince Yourself it’s Possible, and Keep Moving Forward.

Be Curious, Be Nicer and be Grateful

Overcoming Anxiety: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/overcoming-anxiety

11 Tips for Coping with Anxiety: https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/11-tips-for-coping-with-an-anxiety-disorder

Top Ways Anxiety is helpful: https://www.verywellmind.com/top-ways-anxiety-is-helpful-1393079