Courage and Fear

Mark Twain once said, "Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear not absence of fear."

Feeling fear is normal but so many are afraid to admit it. Fear can lock us into a way of life and keep us from being truly challenged and happy. I have learned that the best thing to do is to share my fear with someone else. When I try to pretend I am not feeling it, I become even more anxious. So decide that courage is not the absence of fear but the ability to move through it, share it, and then do what must be done.

I also read once that, "Unknowns are merely joys we have not met." What a wonderful way to think about things and events. You can take new experiences in baby steps if you need to. You do get to be in charge of how you handle it. Does that surprise you? Learning this important fact has given me such freedom to explore and move ahead in my life. And please do not compare yourself to someone else. We are, each of us, unique in who we are as individuals and in how we handle life. Enjoy your uniqueness and move forward!

And in closing, Brendan Francis once said, "Many of our fears are tissue-paper thin, and a single courageous step would carry us clear through them." So, keep these ideas in mind when you next feel fearful. What fear can you walk through today?

Karlynn Baker lives in Arizona and she received a Master of Science degree at the University of Arizona in 1972. She owns her own counseling business and enjoys life with her husband, David, three daughters, and two adorable grandsons.

In The News:


Irish Win Record 39th Straight at Home
New York Times, United States - 12 hours ago
“We knew coming into this game that there was something to play for and that gave us a little extra motivation,” said McAlarney, who led the Irish with 32 ...

Chiefs provide Raiders true motivation to run
Sacramento Bee,  USA - Nov 30, 2008
"It gives us a little extra motivation to play for because when you have hard times, it's tough to find that extra motivation. We're playing at home against ...

New York Daily News

AU should have plenty of motivation
Times-Journal, AL - Nov 28, 2008
Then again, the Tigers should take the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium with plenty of motivation. - With a win, Auburn will become bowl eligible. ...
Iron Bowl is motivation for injured Auburn players Tuscaloosa News (subscription)
Tide has been scouting Florida for awhile Anniston Star (subscription)
Tide, Tigers Have Different Motivations BamaMag.com
Opelika Auburn News - Tuscaloosa News (subscription)all 1,072 news articles

Don't let motivation to conserve fall with fuel prices
Bloomington Pantagraph,  USA - Nov 29, 2008
When gasoline was selling for $4 a gallon there was greater motivation to address those problems, just as there was when the fuel crisis of the 1970s hit ...

Disease is motivation, not obstacle, for Center Grove senior
Indianapolis Star, United States - Nov 28, 2008
But I use that as a motivation to work harder and push myself through conditioning." That dedication is inspiring to others around him, Center Grove coach ...

Essence of a bargain is the urgency to sell
Atlanta Journal Constitution,  USA - 28 minutes ago
It’s all about the motivation of the seller. The vast majority of sellers in any real estate market are, in my opinion, mostly testing the waters. ...

MiamiHerald.com

Motivation, Tebow and Percy-cution
GatorCountry.com, FL - Nov 28, 2008
Percy Harvin turns on the jets and heads to the end zone against South Carolina/Gator Country Photo by Tim Casey. The year was 1968 and the fifth-ranked ...
No. 2 Gators hammer rival FSU again, 45-15 The Associated Press
Storming to Atlanta: No. 2 UF heads for showdown with No. 1 'Bama ... Independent Florida Alligator
Tebow: The Ultimate Warrior DawgsBite.com
Swamp Things - Gatorsports.comall 900 news articles

Longmont Daily Times-Call

Colorado kicks itself after loss
Omaha World-Herald, NE - Nov 28, 2008
It's going to be hard to watch, but it's going to give us motivation to make sure it never happens again." Colorado (5-7, 2-6) looked bowl-ready after the ...
Buffs say heartbreak will be motivation Boulder Daily Camera (subscription)
'Angry' Buffs Stunned By Last-Minute Loss Nebraska StatePaper.com
Hypolite delivers for CU Daily Camera
all 17 news articles

ESPN

Oscar De La Hoya on his motivation for fighting Manny Pacquiao
Doghouse Boxing, Canada - Nov 29, 2008
In regards to De La Hoya's motivation for the fight, De La Hoya recently stated: "At this stage of my career, the biggest motivation I have is my family. ...
De La Hoya seeks return to his peak Las Vegas Review - Journal
Golden Boy set to play Pacman Independent Online
Manny Pacquiao Media Interview Transcript BoxingScene.com
Inquirer.netall 263 news articles

HIGH SCHOOL HOOPS, REGION 4: Cougars use two-win season as motivation
Bowling Green Daily News,  United States - Nov 29, 2008
By WES WATT, For the Daily News RUSSELLVILLE — Don’t blame the Logan County boys’ basketball team if it wants to forget last season’s 2-25 campaign. ...
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