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Eleanor Roosevelt, US diplomat and reformer (1884 – 1962), once said:
“Do one thing every day that scares you.”
Until today, this made no sense to me whatsoever. “Why would I want to be scared?” I asked myself, always getting the clear answer of: “I have no idea!”
But this morning I wondered if this is more about our deep, invisible fears than it is about my outspoken, and irrational, fear of spiders or wet socks. (Although I suppose the socks issue is more about my neuroses than fear.) Instead of being about the “loud” things that scare us, I think Eleanor might mean the silent subconscious fears many of us have — things like stepping outside of our comfort zone or trying unfamiliar foods or meeting new people.
Awhile back I made a resolution to open myself up to more new things. Interestingly, what spurred me to do this was the Jim Carrey movie, “Yes Man”:
Saying “yes” to things outside my normal routine isn’t my default setting. But I have changed my mind and behavior and have to admit, I do feel like I’m living a bit more.
Even if, at first, it usually kinda scares me.
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Comments
02.17.10
Been there, done that. Found it way overrated.
02.17.10
I think Roosevelt's quote is about being brave and trying scary things in life in order to grow. Facing our fears makes them less scary and opens us up to experiences we never thought we would have.
02.17.10
Faced fear every day for a year in 1970-71. Did things that scared the living daylights out of me every single day. Lost too many friends along the way, and in its aftermath. Found the experience way overrated.
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