She spoke very softly but very clearly and with no compromise. “I will not stand up.”
She looked to be in her early thirties. Her husband and two small children watched her as she climbed onto the paddleboard. She clearly had a fear of the water and being in the water on this contraption only heightened her anxiety.
She sat with her legs outstretched on the board and slowly began to paddle out onto the lake. Occasionally, she would stop as she thought she might be losing her balance.
You could physically see her become more comfortable as she paddled being sure not to venture too far out. With her increased comfort level she became braver. She worked her way up to be on her knees as she paddled. The look on her face was one of great accomplishment and pride as she made her way towards shore.
I had the chance to visit with her later that evening. She grew up afraid of the water because her mother was afraid of the water and instilled that fear in her. We talked about what a courageous thing she did that day and she just beamed. We talked about the message she sent her children about being brave and trying new things.
She told me that was her whole motivation for getting on the paddleboard. Her husband has taught their two children to love the water and she was tired of watching them enjoy playing in the water together and she would sit on shore and watch. She was tired of being a spectator.
No, she never did stand up on the paddleboard but I bet someday she will.
He told me he wasn’t challenged in his job. In a job with a different company he had been in a supervisory role with a lot more responsibility than he had now. I asked if he had talked with his supervisor about his desire for more responsibility. He said he hadn’t. He hadn’t been there long enough. He wasn’t sure that was appropriate. He didn’t want to seem pushy.
Fear often dresses up as avoidance, blame, rationalization, excuses or perfection.
I asked how his supervisor would ever find out he wanted more. He didn’t have an answer. He committed to having a conversation to let her know.
A few weeks later we ran into each other. He almost couldn’t contain himself as he told me that he had been asked to apply for a new position at his work. His supervisor said she never would have considered him if he hadn’t made his wishes known.
Being courageous doesn’t require us to run into a burning building. It doesn’t mean we have to join the military. It doesn’t mean we have to jump out of an airplane.
We simply have to do those things that make us uncomfortable.
Fear is being a spectator. Courage is getting in the game.
What do you need to take action on today? What are you watching others do and enjoy while you sit on the shore and wish you could participate? What positions have you been passed over for because someone didn’t know you were interested?
What action can you take right now to be courageous?
Have a STRONG and COURAGEOUS day!
Do you need a speaker for an upcoming event? I’d love to be that guy. You can reach me at dave@cultivatecourage.com or 952-200-7499.
You can now buy the book “Cultivate Courage” on Amazon! This would make a great Christmas gift! https://amzn.to/2QYePFS
This is an edited version of a blog that originally ran in July of 2014
