Strength is something to be proud of. Those who do not posses this trait long for it. They strive to be as strong as you, thinking this strength is such a gift. But what if in actuality fear was the gift? What if being overwhelmingly afraid of something and thinking you cannot face it and more importantly you cannot face it alone was the true beauty in life?

Being afraid means there is something bigger than you, there is something in front of you that is a hurdle you’ve never crossed, a hurdle you have not yet needed to bear. This hurdle is potential – The potential to reach and overcome. But what if fear meant you could really, really feel? I mean raw, dirty emotion. That for once the overwhelming need and desire to be strong was gone, it disappeared and you could feel. Wouldn’t you then feel fear?

Ironically, that fear is what we are scared of the most. Fear itself is our fear. Fear is what could, and often does crumble so many. Fear is their demise, their downfall. But without fear do we really feel? To feel the fear yet not crumble, to meet the fear and stare it right in the face and say I am not afraid of you, I feel you, I want you and I am not afraid. That is the gift.

So often you look strength in the eye and praise it, but maybe to truly see yourself, and to truly feel, you need to look strength in the eye and say I am not proud of you today. Today I am afraid and today I will wear my fears and be proud. I am not ashamed, but afraid.