Fear Can Hold Us Back

Recently, I’ve noticed that hesitation on my part is grounded in fear.  If I take a hard look at what is holding me back, I find that it is fear and sadly, frequently irrational fear.  This annoying fear frequently comes from what others have “advised” me or what I have read.  I ask myself if such fears are valid or am I influenced by the fears of others that have been placed into my conscious mind.  Usually that.  So I’ve found it helpful to question myself and the fear.  Is this fear based on a real and present danger?  Is it based on what possible and not likely outcomes?“ Is the source of hesitation based on others’ fears?  Or is it possible to consider my feelings and mentally list all possible outcomes including the positive ones?  I find that if I listened to others guiding me to only consider negative outcomes, I would miss out on so many opportunities for a rich life full of experiences not to be missed.  I trust myself.  I know when I’m prepared for something new and I know when I am not.  Snowboarding is no longer on my list of adventures, nor is signing up for a PhD program.  My decisions are sound.  They are made from a place of curiosity and optimism, not fear…..and excitement about what might be.