Question for you.
Have you ever let fear stop you from doing something?
When I was in high school, a group of friends and I went to an amusement park at the end of a pier at the beach. They all wanted to get on a ride called “The Zipper” and I was persuaded to get on with them.
However, as they were loading others, and we slowly inched higher and higher, the small claustrophobic car that we were in flipped over at the top of the ride (which it was supposed to do) and rocked violently back and forth.
I was TERRIFIED! I wasn’t a fan of heights, small places, or the exposure to certain death that I was sure would follow! I screamed so loud and so long that the ride attendants took me off the ride.
And while I stood watching my friends enjoy a thrilling ride, heard them laughing, and shouting in fun, and watched them get off sharing the story with each other, I felt that I had missed an opportunity.
I had missed an opportunity to push myself beyond my own comfort zone. I had missed an opportunity to experience something new even though it was scary. I had missed an opportunity to trust that it would be safe. And I had missed an opportunity to share this story with those friends.
Even now, some 44 years later, that moment hangs in my memory. What if I had taken that ride? What if I had shared that moment? What if I had faced my fears then? What if…..?
And today, although I still have never set foot on that ride, that memory floods back every time I am at an amusement park.
So, I encourage you today….what is it that you doubt? What is it that you fear? What is it that scares you to death?
Fear it, face it, and get on the ride anyway! It could be the ride of your life!