“Fear is a funny thing. We need it to keep us safe. If there is something real that is threatening our life, we need to be afraid so that we can adjust accordingly to protect ourselves. The problem isn’t being afraid. It’s letting fear get out of hand and control our lives when there is only something we perceive as frightening. Sometimes that means we end up being afraid of nothing more than a paper tiger”

I read this recently in Captiva Memories” by Anne Cabot and it made me think.  How many things have we decided not to do because we were afraid?

And how many times have we regretted it? Wondered what would’ve happened if we’d taken that chance?

But we didn’t because we were afraid. We didn’t believe in ourselves, even though everyone else did. So we didn’t  take the chance, because that paper tiger growled too loud, and that mouthful of sharp teeth scared us away.

But someone else wasn’t intimidated by that same paper tiger, and took the chance. And they were very successful. 

You’re offered a great opportunity to buy a business that’s already successful. You know it’s a great deal and you’re seriously considering it. But all of a sudden that paper tiger runs up to you, growls, and tries to swat you with that big paw!

And again you’re too scared to take the chance.

But then you come across another opportunity, and instead of waiting for that paper tiger to appear, you sign on the dotted line, and go for it! You’re still afraid, but this time there’s no turning back. The paper tiger slinks into the room, but this time you swat it away, and discover it really is made of paper after all. And it can’t hurt you.

You were afraid for no reason! You had it in you all the time. You just didn’t realize it.

And suddenly, you aren’t afraid of that paper tiger any more, because you discovered those claws couldn’t scratch and those teeth couldn’t bite. You were too busy letting your fear get the best of you instead of believing in yourself. This time you did it afraid. 

And you succeeded.