If you think about the entire existence of the Universe, your life span could be compared to snapping your fingers. In other words, life is short – very short. Missing out on any of the joys life offers is a tragedy, but how many of us miss out on the joy life has to offer because we are afraid?

If your life is being controlled by your fears, you are most certainly cheating yourself, as well as those around you. If you are controlled by your fears you are not open to learn from others or share your greatness with them and this is denying them the opportunity to learn from you.

You have muscles and you exercise to keep them strong and healthy. They say the heart is the largest muscle we have. I suppose it is probably the largest physical muscle, but Courage is the mental muscle that conquers fear. Like all muscles, the more you use them the stronger they become. We are not born with courage because we are born fearless. As we age we develop fear which means we need to develop courage.

No one wants to be in prison but individuals who fail to develop courage, remain confined in mental prisons and face each day as mental lightweights.

It has been said if you face the thing you fear, fear leaves you. Think of the first time you tried to ride a bike. You probably fell off and were afraid. Someone made you get back on that bike, you did, you rode successfully and suddenly that fear was gone. You conquered it! Congratulations!

Everyone has fear it’s just that courageous people understand the importance of facing their fears and taming them like a wild horse. Have you ever heard of Eddie Rickenbacker? Edward Vernon Rickenbacker (October 8, 1890 – July 27, 1973) was an American fighter ace in World War I and Medal of Honor recipient. He was also a race car driver and automotive designer, a government consultant in military matters and a pioneer in air transportation, particularly as the longtime head of Eastern Air Lines. Eddie said “Courage is doing what you are afraid to do. There can be no courage without fear.” We all have fear; however, not everyone becomes subservient to their fears.

There is, very likely, something you have wanted to do for years – move to another city, start your own business, apply for that better position, change careers, go after the big account, ask someone to marry you, buy a house, start a family. Whatever it is you should do it. Remember, life is not a dress rehearsal. This is it. Curtain up, show time! A little courage leads to more courage; it’s like a snowball rolling downhill.

Take a look around you at the people you know who live without courage. They hide in the shadows of others. They have no opinions because they are afraid. They make no attempt to lead. They sit in the back corners. They almost seem non-existent. They merely tiptoe through life, quiet as a church mouse hoping they make it safely to death. Is this any way to live your life?

You and I were never meant to live this way. We were not meant to ride the little horse on the merry-go-round. We were meant to ride a Champion! We were meant to grab life by the reigns and say ‘let’s go’! If we fall off we were meant to get up and get back on! Learn to live the way you like by no longer living as you dislike. So buck up little pony and let’s ride!

What fear will you face, attack and conquer this week?

What will you do this week to attack the remainder of your days with an abundance of courage?

Now that’s living life to the fullest!