Fight Your Fears: The Freeway to Victory

It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.

Aesop

Getting promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, US Army Reserve in 1998

 On this 70th anniversary of D-Day we honor the bravery, valor for those in the quest for ultimate victory -freedom!

I think we should all find those moments everyday - as life presents it's own type of battles.  Where do we find this grit, the hardcore guts of courage to keep going in spite of inevitable challenge and adversity?And master our own fears? I'm reminded of my own times of facing fear and eventually conquering fear, especially when I joined the army.

            "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