Cathy Melton
What Would You Do If You Were Not Afraid

A very important question, don't you think? What would you do if you were not afraid?
I sat down at my computer pondering this very question and came up with a huge list of possibilities. How sad to realize how much fear affects everything we do in life.
I've never been a fearful person, but I do tend to experience anxiety when thinking about the unknown. "What If" plagues my mind whenever I start thinking about a career change or contemplating a lifestyle change. But, what would happen if we could simply eliminate the element of fear? Is it just "change" in general, or does it go deeper than that?
The fear element for me, is thinking about how it would affect my family. Can we afford it? Do I have the time and energy? What would happen if it didn't work out?
The biggest fear I have, is how will it affect my family. Since my children are grown, this question should be easier, but it isn't as easy as I had hoped. Is this really my time to live the life I have always wanted? Will I be needed? Or, will I need them? I have spent the majority of my life, being a Mom. Is it really the right time to start on a new journey? If not now, then when?
As far as affordability, I remember before we had children, we asked ourselves the same question, "Can we afford it?". The answer at that time was "No", but that didn't stop us from having 4 children.
The "age" question can feel like a legitimate one, but then you stop and realize you will never be this young again. The energy issue is also mute, as I become very energized whenever I am doing something I love to do.
Then there is the question of, "What would happen if it didn't work out?". That's an easy question to answer. You didn't get through life without making mistakes, right? Mistakes are a part of life, and a necessary lesson to help you grow. Success isn't achieved without them. So, what would happen if it didn't work out? I would learn, grow. achieve more than I would have if I had done nothing at all.
Why is fear holding me back? I don't think it will