I am not the kind of girl who makes New Year's Resolutions. Why in the world do we live in a society that voluntarily sets goals they have no intention of completing? Talk about setting yourself up for failure. However, an author that I greatly admire challenged her readers to pick one word this year and make choices based on that word. Call me crazy, but this seems like a much better idea to me. So, this year I have decided my word is Fearless.
From an early age we are encouraged to dream impossible dreams. Our parents tell us we can be anything we want to be; president, an astronaut, an actress, a writer, a ballerina, you name it we can do it. "Shoot for the stars,' they always say, but then we grow up. We discover Peter Pan isn't coming to take us to Neverland, Prince Charming doesn't tear the world apart for you, and sometimes we don't get what we want. Perhaps, the latter is the hardest pill to swallow. We learn disappointment. You don't get into that college you wanted or that big job you had your heart set on. devastation sets in. Discouragement clouds our judgement. Suddenly, all those crazy dreams become a thing of the past and survival kicks in and we settle. It's the cruel truth that no one wants to face. However, here lies the problem. Fear sets in.
I tell my girls constantly that they should never let the opinions of their peers influence them, but realistically that isn't going to happen. Now, don't get me wrong, we need to be independent, but in our society we are afraid. Afraid of failure, afraid of criticism, afraid of rejection. Fear becomes the basis of our decisions.
We let fear dictate our lives. We get comfortable. Suddenly, the 'for now' turns into 'stuck.' We let people treat us poorly so that they won't get mad at us. We let people take advantage of us. I am no different. No one wants to let people they care about down. We are afraid of the consequences. Even when we know it's time to move on we stay. Not because it's what needs to be done, but because it's familiar and no one wants to start over. We don't start new things because we are afraid to fail.
Well, no more. I have decided that 2013 is the year I will be Fearless. Romans 8:31 says 'If God is for us, who could stand against us?" I am a firm believer, that God doesn't put a desire in our heart unless he is going to fulfill it. Perhaps it won't be filled the way we wanted or planned, but He will fill it. However, we have to trust Him enough to take the steps for it to happen. As long as we stay in God's will why in the world should we fear anything? Who or what is stronger than my God? Nothing.
Fearless doesn't just mean not being afraid. It means doing what you know you have to even though you are afraid. This year is going to see a lot of change in my life. It is time. It is past time, but I was afraid. This year is going to bring some goodbyes, some new faces, and a new adventure even though I don't know what that is yet. I am starting a new book for real next week that hopefully will be finished by fall. I am going to put myself out there. I am going to fail, I am going to be rejected, I am going to feel alone sometimes, but it will have been because I tried. I don't want my girls to think I won't do what I ask them to do. It's time to take the challenges I issue them to heart myself. It is time to be completely fearless in EVERY aspect.
So, here is my challenge to you, dear reader who has stuck with me through the whole post, pick a word to live by this year, set a goal, pray about it, do it, and be fearless in your pursuits and adventures, I know I will!
