Here's a introduction from a small book by Evelyn Beilenson, "It's not easy to live well, love passionately, and laugh with abandon. It often requires taking risks. As Dorothy Thompson said, 'Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live.' Living well means also daring to love without restraint, summed up famously by Tennyson, when he wrote, 'Tis' better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.' And for heaven's sake, don't forget to laugh. Laughter is the only tranquilizer with no side effects. So go out there and take a chance. Live well, Laugh often, and Love much. Make yourself and the world around you a happier and richer place."
The quote by Dorothy Thompson that says, "Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live". Have you ever seen the question written somewhere that says, "What could you do if you weren't afraid of failing?" If we hold ourselves back because of fear - fear of whatever, whether it be fear of failing, or fear of success, fear of what other people may think, etc., we may never really allow ourselves to live completely.
Fear is defined as 1.to feel fear in (oneself), 2. to have a reverential awe of
Personally I would have to say that in different situations I can feel both fear in myself and fear of the worst when it comes to embarking on new adventures, new directions, and different choices, or choices that affect my life that I had no say in. But, what if I weren't afraid - what if I didn't fear the worst when confronted with new circumstances in my life. What if I looked at it as a new opportunity? Something that would be an adventure, a change in direction, without being able to see the destination? Not knowing the destination is a bit fear-provoking to me - I like to plan and be in charge of what choices are made in my life, but it doesn't always work that way. I'm one of those people who lists everything, but when it comes to decisions, I list the pros & cons, and I try to figure out the "worst case scenario", then decide if I can live with it and compare it to where I am now, and try to determine its effect on me or how I will handle it if/when I am confronted with that particular situation. Maybe I'm over thinking things. Since I really have no control anyway, perhaps I should loosen up a little, realize that life doesn't go as planned (I do realize that, but perhaps I should accept it more!), and understand that change isn't bad or scary, that really there is "no good or bad news, only our reaction to it". (As they say in the movie Kung Fu Panda).
So, really, what is there to be afraid of? Life is full of seasons - some are winter seasons - that seem cold, barren and without the beautiful blooms of spring, the warmth of summer, or the beautiful changing colors of fall, but all seasons change, nothing lasts forever, and even if today isn't your best day, set aside your fear and live - live without being afraid so that you can truly live, and enjoy every moment - even if it isn't the moment you planned it to be.
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