I was afraid of…

One of my biggest fears as a child was dogs. I love dogs now, but when I was knee high to a grasshopper I would stay away from dogs like the plague. 

My fear stemmed from a horrible experience when I was 3. While petting a poodle, I was bitten. From that day on, man’s best friend turned into man’s worst enemy. My fear kept me from enjoying the connection with these lovable animals. 

Finally, my parents helped me overcome my fear by getting me my own puppy. I realized that the situation I experienced was not going to be the same with every dog. Through time, I understood how to read and interact properly with them. My greatest fear and anxiety turned into a wonderful source of joy and connection.

Do you have a fear that’s stopping you from enjoying life? A lot of times, fear stems from the unknown. Replace the unknown with facts and knowledge. You may not entirely overcome it at first, but you begin to develop respect and understanding. 

When you overcome your fear, you will have a new sense of confidence. It will open up new doors of opportunity and growth. Don’t let life pass you by because of fear. Franklin Roosevelt sums it up perfectly when he said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”