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It's easier to be fearless when you are young. The Earth's weight isn't really on your shoulders, you have less to lose, you see the world with wide eyes as it brims with possibilities, and you tackle the unknown with an audacity tempered only by the watchful eyes of your parents. It's almost accepted in society when kids make mistakes because, well, we're kids. This is the time to be selfish. You're not married, or have children who rely on you, you are still at an acceptable age to fall back on your parents if all fails (let's not actually plan for that, but it's nice to know you aren't going to be left to the roaches,) and you have your whole life ahead of you. I think you can be greedy, but not greedy for money - I think that can be a burden - be greedy for an exciting life.
Be brave while you're young because once you get older, your attitude shifts. Reasoning replaces impulsive risk-taking, and what once seemed mysterious and magical appears dangerous in its unfamiliarity. You start to become fearful of leaving the comfort of your habits, worried about losing what you worked so hard to build. Go out while you have the chance, before you get tied down with responsibilities. The longer you push it off, the less likely it is to happen. Too often, we forego opportunities because we are afraid the costs outweigh the benefits. We get stuck. We think about consequences more rather than just taking the leap and making a fearless decision. I am writing this today because, recently, I didn't take a risk in fear of the consequences. And now sitting here alone in my room, I really wish that I had.
Breaking the pattern doesn’t require heavenly bravery, just the decision to choose faith over fear. To make that decision we must practice, and one of the best ways to practice is to dust off our bucket lists and attempt the feats we’ve always imagined. Conquering these challenges may seem arbitrary, but when we prove to ourselves we can handle the stuff of our craziest dreams, we open up to new possibilities and rekindle our childlike wonder for the world. We can handle anything.
Maybe it’s traveling out of the country, or traveling alone anywhere. Maybe it’s ditching our weekend plans for an impromptu road trip with the one we love. Maybe it’s simply biking to work instead of driving. Maybe its disappointing our parents for a few days to do something for the hell of it, because when will you have another chance to do it again? The nuances of our lists don’t matter; what is important is that we push our boundaries to defy even our own expectations.
Our fears will never disappear. Each day brings new anxieties or the return of old ones, but also new opportunities to overcome them. When we have learned how to let go, we are equipped with the courage to face these day-to-day fears. All you need is a little money in your pocket and a train or plane ticket. All you need is someone on the other end of the map, thinking about the supple curves of your body, to guide you to a home that stretches out for miles and miles on end.
Photograph from Tumblr
Be brave while you're young because once you get older, your attitude shifts. Reasoning replaces impulsive risk-taking, and what once seemed mysterious and magical appears dangerous in its unfamiliarity. You start to become fearful of leaving the comfort of your habits, worried about losing what you worked so hard to build. Go out while you have the chance, before you get tied down with responsibilities. The longer you push it off, the less likely it is to happen. Too often, we forego opportunities because we are afraid the costs outweigh the benefits. We get stuck. We think about consequences more rather than just taking the leap and making a fearless decision. I am writing this today because, recently, I didn't take a risk in fear of the consequences. And now sitting here alone in my room, I really wish that I had.
Breaking the pattern doesn’t require heavenly bravery, just the decision to choose faith over fear. To make that decision we must practice, and one of the best ways to practice is to dust off our bucket lists and attempt the feats we’ve always imagined. Conquering these challenges may seem arbitrary, but when we prove to ourselves we can handle the stuff of our craziest dreams, we open up to new possibilities and rekindle our childlike wonder for the world. We can handle anything.
Maybe it’s traveling out of the country, or traveling alone anywhere. Maybe it’s ditching our weekend plans for an impromptu road trip with the one we love. Maybe it’s simply biking to work instead of driving. Maybe its disappointing our parents for a few days to do something for the hell of it, because when will you have another chance to do it again? The nuances of our lists don’t matter; what is important is that we push our boundaries to defy even our own expectations.
Our fears will never disappear. Each day brings new anxieties or the return of old ones, but also new opportunities to overcome them. When we have learned how to let go, we are equipped with the courage to face these day-to-day fears. All you need is a little money in your pocket and a train or plane ticket. All you need is someone on the other end of the map, thinking about the supple curves of your body, to guide you to a home that stretches out for miles and miles on end.
Photograph from Tumblr