Everyone has fears. They act as roadblocks, and you can either let them stop you or find another way forward. Fear is natural—it’s a part of being human—but it doesn’t have to control you. Instead, embrace it as an open door leading to new journeys and opportunities. Bravery is born through fear. Be brave.
The power lies in your perspective.
There’s a poem by Erin Hanson:
“There is freedom waiting for you,
On the breezes of the sky,
And you ask, ‘What if I fall?’
Oh but my darling,
What if you fly?”
At first glance, it’s a simple poem you might have heard before, but sometimes the meaning doesn’t fully sink in until the right moment. These words remind us that fear often speaks louder than possibility, yet it’s possibility that holds the key to our growth.
Let’s say you want to try something new. Before you even begin, you’re already anticipating the worst. “What if it’s a waste of time? What if I fail?” That mindset keeps you frozen in place, holding you back from something that could change your life. But what if it isn’t? What if you take the leap and find yourself soaring? You’ll never know unless you try.
Not long ago, I was talking to my mom, and I asked her, “Mom, how are you so brave?” Motherhood scared me at the time—the responsibility, the unknown, the fear of not being enough. Her response surprised me. She laughed and said, “That’s the same question I asked my mom.” It reminded me that courage doesn’t mean the absence of fear. It means moving forward despite it.
The truth is, we’re all afraid sometimes, but we each have the power to strengthen our courage muscle. And we can’t give up on it because bravery isn’t just about us—it’s about the light we create for others. I believe that when we choose courage, everything around us begins to glow in a way. We become a light in someone else’s darkness, and that light can make all the difference.
So the next time fear whispers, “What if I fall?”—ask yourself instead, “What if I fly?” Take the leap. Be the light. And watch how the world around you begins to glow.
The Wild Gems 