The 54th Deadline: Fear of Falling

There is a logical explanation for the fear of heights, as some would say. And that is the fear of falling itself rather than the distance as to which someone would fall off from a (supposedly) high height. When we connect this fear of falling with the notion of failing itself, both are quite the same on a metaphorical level.

To advance further in anything in life, one must be willing to climb. Of course, what is the consequence for somehow screwing up? We fall. We risk losing our grip. We can come crashing down at a moment’s notice. Or at least, in our minds, this is the worst-case scenario we imagine.

Some of us become so concerned of the possible “splat” of hitting rock bottom that fear immobilizes the willpower for action. What if something goes wrong? What if I cannot maintain my grip going up? It is just so darn high!

We begin to unravel our sense of courage, playing the sort of mental gymnastics to rationalize our lack of bravery.

Fright or Might
 Trust me. I know firsthand. For most of my life, I have been a coward in plenty of regards.

This reason is why I was too afraid to ask out plenty of girls I liked throughout the years. This reason is why I chose to stay at home instead of going out to social events like parties and whatnot. This reason is why I opted for the “safer” routes instead of living life to its fullest on more than one occasion. I have riddled my life with “what if” scenarios instead of memorable moments because I got too scared.

I am a pathetic, overly anxious individual who I despise regularly. I have plenty of regrets due to my various missed opportunities because of how I freeze up when the openings present themselves.

Nothing ventured. Nothing gained. Right?

Fear has been my worst enemy. Fear acts its barrier for me on an everyday basis.

To counteract fear, one has to bite the bullet and just go for it. It may not always work out each time, but this is by far much better than being a glorified, adult-aged chicken who does not even want to try.

To Climb
 Throughout the years, I let myself stare up at the sky as to what I could reach. I have dreamed of what it is like to arrive at the top of the summit. I have envisioned myself doing so, in fact. But to fantasize about such a feat and to accomplish it are two entirely different concepts.

One involves just picturing it in your head, whereas the latter is doing what needs to be done to make it into a reality.

Like I always say, I want more out of life. I feel like I have stayed at the base of this mountain in life for far too long.

I cannot worry so much about falling anymore. The way I see it, staying at the foot of the mountain is just akin to plummet headfirst toward the earth itself. Both of these cases involve me still existing here at the very bottom.

The only direction I want to go is up in life from this point onward.

It is time to muster up some real courage.

“Hope is my catalyst.” — Nhan Fiction Pham