“The Greatest Gift to Give Yourself”
by Carol Pierce
On that final day of swimming class, I cautiously tiptoed to the end of the board and looked over its edge. The longer I stared, the greater the distance seemed to grow between the water and me. My heart raced. My legs weakened.
The instructor beckoned, “Jump, Carol, jump! I’m here to catch you.”
I desperately wanted to jump off that board into the water, but I just couldn’t do it. With my head lowered and tears in my eyes, I slowly turned around and walked off that diving board.
That day, I allowed my fear of heights and water to prevent me from doing what I really wanted to do…to jump into the deep end of the pool and swim to the side. I couldn’t face my fears, much less overcome them. I allowed my fears to control me.
As I grew older, I found myself standing on the edge of that diving board many times, personally and professionally. Feeling afraid, I often continued to turn away from challenges instead of facing them head-on.
Each time, I filled my life with regrets, regrets that I failed to do what I really wanted to do…whether it was to voice my opinion, to attempt something new, or to leave a bad personal or professional relationship. I allowed fear to control me instead of my confronting it directly, no longer allowing it to get in my way.
As that little girl standing on the edge of that diving board, I didn’t trust my own self. I lacked the confidence that I had the ability to jump into that pool and swim to the side….and deep inside, I didn’t trust that instructor was telling me the truth…that he’d be there to catch me! I lacked trust in myself and in everyone around me!
What happened to that little girl who feared jumping off that diving board and allowed a lack of confidence to keep her from doing what she wanted to do for too much of her life?
She finally began believing in herself and her own abilities. She became that courageous adult who climbed a pyramid, swam in an underground river, and no longer allows fear to stand in the way of whatever she really wants.
Are you allowing your own fears to control you? Are you allowing your lack of trust in yourself and your abilities to keep you from doing what you’ve so wanted to do? Remember, fear is not trusting in yourself and in your own abilities to go after what you really want.
Do you want to give yourself the best Christmas gift ever….the courage and the confidence to go after what you really want? Why wait? Jump now!
Jump Now Author Carol Pierce teaches people how to believe in themselves. She can be reached by calling 225-474-4923 or visiting www.jumpnow.com. Article used with permission. All rights reserved. Copyright 2009, Carol Pierce.
