Letter to My Younger Self on Fear
Dear Younger Self,
I write to provide guidance, support, love, strength and perspective as you navigate this precious journey called life. You will come to realize that there is truly no precise map or GPS navigation system to travel the infrastructure of life’s transportation system.
Think about it…when we put our notions of fortune, happiness, fame and success aside and get to the core of humanity…it all seems like this constant search and discovery to feel accepted, loved and appreciated.
However, as you will come to experience, we as “wired, baggage carrying human beings” tend to make our one and only opportunity at life more complicated than it needs to be; in the process distracting us from living our most authentic and best lives today filled with intent, meaning and purpose.
I will keep this letter as short as possible because I know you have many devices, applications and tasks battling for your attention. But I want to talk to you about Fear.
Fear is an integral part of our lives. In specific situations its biological intent has kept you out of harm’s way. A perfect example is all the times you stayed away from the stove countertop when the fire was on to avoid getting burned. It is a natural reaction to believe in something we perceive to be dangerous. You will come to realize while fear has protected you, it has also penetrated your daily consciousness…paralyzing your holistic growth.
Fear is nothing more than False Evidence Appearing Real. Unfortunately, our society has placed a negative connotation on fear, which has contributed to you becoming too consumed with living your fears and not your dreams. And that is what will halt you from dreaming big and carving out your own unique path on your journey.
The beautiful thing with self-awareness accompanied by action is you can strip away from fear rooted thoughts and habits anytime you are ready to live in truth and create a new story for your life. Remember action and consistency cures fear. As you begin dismantling the invisible barriers you have imposed on your mind, you will uncover that beneath fear lies invaluable opportunities.
Your playing small and safe does not serve the world. You are imperfectly perfect just the way you are. You are driving yourself crazy trying to be perfect which is creating inactivity and procrastination. Instead of striving for perfection, strive for excellence. Strive for greatness. Strive to go to bed wiser than you were when you woke up. Commit to getting 1% better today and being the best version of yourself while taking down those fears you have put on a pedestal.
In order to succeed you must fail. Study any world class performer or icon and count how many times they had to fall in order to propel to their greatness. So do not allow rejection, the unknown or adversity stop you from changing the trajectory of your life. View failure as a tool for personal growth as well as a transformative opportunity to learn, grow and prosper forward. You must always be at your very best in those darkest moments. True wisdom is knowing what you don’t know but need to know.
To live fully and to discover the outer depths of who you are, you must break free from the comfort zone you have created for your life. You existing in this close minded space is dishonoring your epic wisdom, amazing grace, radiant soul and authentic uniqueness. I know you feel protected inside this bubble from the uncertainty of the outside world. But life’s greatest adventures and discoveries await you…just right outside your comfort zone. So I challenge you day by day to expand and to eventually discard that comfort zone.
As you discover new ways to venture towards the other side of fear…the intent of your dreams will begin to manifest into reality. So endeavor with all your willpower to begin the process of re-programming how you think about and act towards fear. With this change, you will become liberated from your own fear, while liberating others in the process.
You do not have to become fearless overnight, just fear{less}.
You are Loved, You are Appreciated… and You Matter!
Love Always,
Your Truth Conscience
The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled, the books that were never written, the songs that were never sung, the inventions that were never shared, the cures that were never discovered, all because someone was too afraid to take that first step, keep with the problem, or determined to carry our their dream.
About the Author:
Kimati A. Ramsey is an innovative brand strategist, inspirational educator and motivational speaker who graduated from the University of California, Berkeley. His educational, career and life management strategies have empowered thousands of student-athletes, high school and college students to seize opportunities and turn dreams into realities. Stay connected at www.kimatiramsey.com.
