Take That, Fear!
Choosing hope over fear.
This week’s post falls under the thrive umbrella of Move Thrive Nourish. When I typed “define thrive” into Google, it came back with two responses:
Grow or develop well or vigorously.
Prosper; flourish.
These definitions of thrive pretty accurately portray the spirit I had in mind when I chose the word. It encompasses the intangible aspects of wellness that we sometimes (okay, admittedly, that I have historically) neglected in favor of more concrete health practices like fitness and nutrition. Over the past few years, however, I have learned that the seemingly more nebulous topics like mindset, beliefs, and mental and emotional health are just as important to one’s overall wellness. So today is the first of what will be many posts on topics that relate to thriving.
How it Started
I recently came across the Nelson Mandela quote shown above. It really resonated with me and sparked me to take action almost immediately. So, I thought I’d share with you.
I had been contemplating hiking solo for a long time. I love getting out with my husband or friends, but always admired the women that I saw hoofing up a mountain trail all alone. They looked so unencumbered and at-ease. They looked so confident. Fear, however, had its own agenda for my solo hiking aspirations. It asked all kinds of disheartening questions. Do you really want to be a mountain lion’s breakfast? You’re so clumsy, what if you break your ankle and don’t have reception to call for help? What if you get lost? Have you ever heard of rattlesnakes?
Enter the Nelson Mandela quote, “May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” I paused and immediately compared my hopes and fears around solo hiking. I hoped to be able to get out into nature without being beholden to someone else’s schedule constraints. I hoped to be hiking up a mountain in complete solitude; no conversation, just thoughts. I hoped to move at my own pace, letting my breath set my cadence.
When I thought about my hopes, I immediately felt both empowered and joyful. All of those questions that fear had been asking were still there, of course, but it seemed so obvious to make the choice based on the hopes that made me feel alive just thinking about them. Take that, fear!
How it’s Going
I’m happy to report that I’ve been on three solo hikes in the past month. Each time I’ve been out it has exceeded my hopes. When I’m alone on a mountain trail, I can sense my nervous system resetting as my cells become coated in the terpenes being emitted by the trees. When I’m perched alone next to a stream or waterfall, immersed in the negative ions that it offers, fear feels like a far away foe whose abuse I can hardly even recall. Just as I had hoped, my body has an ongoing conversation with the changing grades of the earth and finds its own rhythm of movement.
In just a short time, my solo hikes have taught me that there is no space for fear when that space is occupied by hope. On one particular switchback, I turned to look over my shoulder to see the green pine trees of the foothills give way to the still snow-covered peaks of the Continental Divide and was absolutely awestruck. I was conquering my fears and doing what I loved. I was truly thriving.
Goals for Hopes vs Fears
I would like to challenge you to reflect on Nelson Mandela’s quote. Your hopes and fears will likely be completely different than the example I gave. Just be honest with yourself about both your hopes and your fears. Here are three different suggestions to get you started.
Good
Start by identifying something in your life where you suspect fear might be taking the reins. Write out both your fears and your hopes around the topic. Notice, or journal about, how each list makes you feel.
Better
Identify something in your life where you suspect fear may be taking the reins and begin to formulate an action plan for facing the fear and letting your hopes lead instead. In my hiking example, this step would include looking up trails that I would feel comfortable trying out alone.
Best
Let your hopes lead you to take action. Afraid of speaking in public? Go to an open mic night. Fear keeping you from starting to date? Create an online dating profile or ask friends if they know of anyone to set you up with. In my example, this step would be actually going out for a solo hike.
Until Next Week
If you’d care to share how you think you might start to explore your hopes and fears, I’d love to hear about it. Leave a comment with your thoughts or a question.
Happy Hoping,
Courtney
Ack! That is such a great Nelson Mandela quote and I love your thoughts on this, Courtney. Thank you for sharing your beautiful hiking photos as well.