It is easy to be brave from a safe
distance.
Aesop
 |
| Getting promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, US Army Reserve in 1998 |
"Uncle Sam doesn't really
care about your fears!" barked my drill sergeant—a phrase I vividly recall
from my first days in the Army.
Arriving for basic training at Fort
Jackson South Carolina on a hot June day in 1978, I was immediately assigned as
a squad leader in the 4th platoon. My drill sergeant knew I wanted to go to
Officer Candidate School (OCS) so here was my chance to get ready for
leadership. All of a sudden the concerns and issues of
nine other scared and confused young
women were mine. I was going through my own shock and socialization into the Army
way of life and now I was to guide and help others through the transition as
well. The physical, emotional and mental challenges were many; all of us
wondering if we'd made the right decision and if we could survive the demands of
a military structure. I wasn’t quite sure what to make of this situation. There
was much to absorb—and fast.
What
do I do?
During the six weeks of basic
training at Fort Jackson I kept asking myself, What is the worst thing that can happen? My goal of going to OCS
was uppermost in my mind and it kept me listening for messages of strength and
success. I also built on my watchful experience with my siblings as an oldest
child, finding ways to keep us focused and out
of trouble. Asserting myself when necessary, assessing what my squad needed and
then assisting them as best I could kept my mind brave. I had to close the
afraid gap by taking steps to fix the problems. In the end my squad stayed
intact, good relationships were formed and we all graduated. A mission was now
completed, readying me for the next phase of my military service.
I
had gotten up close and personal to this FEAR.
What
is fear? False Evidence Appearing
Real.
Sometimes our apprehension has to be
put in perspective. Yes it's healthy to be a little afraid, as fear can invoke
good judgment. And there are some things to be anxious about when it comes to
safety, crime or health challenges. Most importantly though, we can't let fear
overwhelm or freeze us into inaction.
Let’s have the right arsenal of
confidence and faith ready and at our fingertips—use them free and fast. Then claim a personal victory!
Excerpted from my motivational autobiography, Navigating Life’s Roadways: Stories of Insight from My Odyssey and Inspiration for Your Journey http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008FQDPYE
