Best read of the day so far, Colin. Sure, it’s only 6:09AM, but still, this hits hard. I’m in a place where I’m launching a self-published book, and all the fears and doubts are piling on like the offensive line on a hapless quarterback. But I know if I try, I’ll already be ahead of all those who don’t, regardless of the outcome.
I have lived most of my life in fear… the fear of failure which has stopped me from even trying, but a mammoth life event has adjusted my view - I now realise I don’t need to be afraid… if anything I need to be afraid of NOT trying. And what I did fear is imaginary, like those monsters living under our bed…
I still tussle with it occasionally but really try to live from a place of, ‘So what… so what if I fail, so what if I make a fool of myself… and instead, what if… what if this works out…
Thanks for sharing such a thought provoking and personal post 🙏🏻
Glad the essay resonated with you, @Alexandra Kamis! Have you read The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday? Its pretty close to what you’re describing!
Good quote! Where’s that from? Also I think it may never just been a standard Latin textbook but from the 1800s. So nothing too exciting but still really cool to see from a historical perspective!
You just touched on a very important lesson. Such a well-written essay.
I've had this experience in my life growing up in a small community. I gained so many experiences from often being the only one who took up an opportunity such as: Entering a coloring contest from the local newspaper when I was a kid… to writing an essay about how to get youth involved in federalism that landed me a free excursion across Canada and three days with the Premiers!!
Thank you for the kind words, Ashley! Those are great examples too. Have you ever written about that excursion? That would be cool to hear more about.
Remind me what part of Canada are you from? My mom’s parents and brother were from Canada. Her family lived in Nova Scotia originally and now all the cousins live in Ontario.
You know what I’ve never written about it, but I probably journaled about her back then. I’m from the Yukon! Northern Canada by Alaska. I’ve never been to Nova Scotia, but it’s a place that my husband and I really wanna go! It’s supposed to be beautiful. I have a lot of family from Ontario too
Thanks for sharing @Jessica Drapluk!
you’re very welcome, Colin!!
Best read of the day so far, Colin. Sure, it’s only 6:09AM, but still, this hits hard. I’m in a place where I’m launching a self-published book, and all the fears and doubts are piling on like the offensive line on a hapless quarterback. But I know if I try, I’ll already be ahead of all those who don’t, regardless of the outcome.
Thanks so much! I’m so glad to hear it resonated with you!
You can definitely do it. Like you said, even just trying puts you miles ahead of the people who’d never try at all.
Right there with both of you! Self-publishing soon getting sweatier by the day.
You’ll do great! That’s so exciting!
Thank you so much, Colin for this inspiring story!
Glad you liked it @Magdalena Gereva, PhD! I’m really happy you found it inspiring!
I really resonate with this post, thanks Colin 🙏🏻
I have lived most of my life in fear… the fear of failure which has stopped me from even trying, but a mammoth life event has adjusted my view - I now realise I don’t need to be afraid… if anything I need to be afraid of NOT trying. And what I did fear is imaginary, like those monsters living under our bed…
I still tussle with it occasionally but really try to live from a place of, ‘So what… so what if I fail, so what if I make a fool of myself… and instead, what if… what if this works out…
Thanks for sharing such a thought provoking and personal post 🙏🏻
Hey Julie! Sorry I somehow missed your comment earlier. I really resonate with your comment.
I can be bold about some things, but other things I’ve spent years talking about before ever trying.
Thanks for sharing! And proud of you for moving forward and trying to challenge yourself more now!
I'd love to read a whole book about stories about people who suceeded because they were the only ones who tried.
Glad the essay resonated with you, @Alexandra Kamis! Have you read The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday? Its pretty close to what you’re describing!
Funny you brought it up. I just bought that book, it’s on the top of my reading list.
Oh that’s awesome! It’s a good one! You’ll have to let me know what you think.
I will do for sure!
This is all SO true. Want to send it to my son who is a junior in college and facing his first adversity: a very tough internship market.
Glad it resonated with you! Yeah definitely state it with him if it would seem helpful! What kind of internship is he trying to get?
“Try. What have you got to lose? And if the answer to that question isn’t your life then it’s time to act.”
What was that Latin book about in the end?
Good quote! Where’s that from? Also I think it may never just been a standard Latin textbook but from the 1800s. So nothing too exciting but still really cool to see from a historical perspective!
Did Latin change much over 200 years…? 🤣
The quote is from a guy called Carlos Saba. 😬
Haha no but the textbooks were harder!
You just touched on a very important lesson. Such a well-written essay.
I've had this experience in my life growing up in a small community. I gained so many experiences from often being the only one who took up an opportunity such as: Entering a coloring contest from the local newspaper when I was a kid… to writing an essay about how to get youth involved in federalism that landed me a free excursion across Canada and three days with the Premiers!!
Fortune does favors those who show up!
Thank you for sharing this!
Thank you for the kind words, Ashley! Those are great examples too. Have you ever written about that excursion? That would be cool to hear more about.
Remind me what part of Canada are you from? My mom’s parents and brother were from Canada. Her family lived in Nova Scotia originally and now all the cousins live in Ontario.
You know what I’ve never written about it, but I probably journaled about her back then. I’m from the Yukon! Northern Canada by Alaska. I’ve never been to Nova Scotia, but it’s a place that my husband and I really wanna go! It’s supposed to be beautiful. I have a lot of family from Ontario too
That’s awesome! I haven’t been to nearly enough of Canada. Just Ontario and Quebec. But I’d love to see more! Glad you liked the essay!