Say Geronimo!

Photo by Daniel Torobekov

"Bravely overcoming one small fear, gives you the courage to take on the next."
​~ Robin Sharma

I am happy to say I am one, proud pool owner. For years our family had dreamed about having a pool to enjoy during the hot summer months, so when the home we purchased several years ago just happened to already have a pool, to say we were very happy would be an understatement. 

Floating in the pool is such a nice escape from the busyness of life and it provides a great outlet for relaxation and opportunity to visit with friends and family. 

It is very interesting and somewhat amusing to watch how people enter a pool. Many like myself like to ease in gradually, testing the waters, little by little.  Then there are those like my daughter, Shannon who just throw caution to the wind and jump right in.

It has a lot to do with peoples’ personalities and comfort levels, but I always find it entertaining to see each person’s approach and style.

Photo by Christopher Sardegna on Unsplash

Dealing with Fear

I have found people approach challenges in life or issues that invoke fear this way as well. Problems and concerns in life can make us nervous to “test the waters.” Fear can creep in and uncertainty can make us unsure if we even want to go “swimming” at all.

Years ago I made the decision to quit my job as a librarian, and go to teacher’s college. It was not an easy decision for me. Our kids were the ages of 5 and 7, and I was unsure if the timing was right. Many people were happy for me, yet many others were skeptical and voiced their opinions openly and unapologetically about the “foolish move” I was making. Teaching jobs were very scarce at the time and many made sure they reminded me of this often.

I was also afraid that I would be like a fish out of water going back to school, as a mature student. At the age of 34, I felt so old. (LOL)

As you can see I had lots of doubts and fears, yet, still my husband and I felt that this was the right decision for myself and my family. It took some time to complete, but I am happy to say I have been teaching for twenty years now and haven’t looked back.

The road to my teaching career was not free of challenges or struggles, but through patience and perseverance I have made it to where I am today. Had I listened to the skeptics, my story could have been very different. 

Also to my surprise when I went to teacher’s college it was refreshing to see that there were many mature students like myself, so rather than standing out, I blended in very well.

Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva

Fear is a very powerful thing, yet sometimes we just have to take that leap of faith. I read a quote recently by Robert Schuller that said “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?” It is interesting to ponder, because fear can hinder our true potential so often if we allow it.

I love to call on students who don’t raise their hands. They look at me all bewildered and say "I didn’t have my hand up!” I reply “I know, but could you try to answer the question?” Sometimes this is too overwhelming for them and they decline, yet other times something absolutely magical happens. That shy and fearful student musters up the courage to actually take a risk and share an answer.

Sometimes they are right and sometimes they are wrong, yet that doesn’t matter.  I love it when they answer, as it shows that a fear is being conquered.

Many of us are so afraid of getting the wrong answer that we won’t even try. Contrarily though, making mistakes are great learning opportunities and taking risks is so important to grow as people. Even if students’ answers are wrong, I always applaud their bravery for trying, to encourage them to keep on sharing.  They put themselves out there and that is so commendable.

Photo by Peter Fazekas

Failure can be good

Sometimes failure can be just what we need to put us on the right path. 

Years ago I remember when I was going to get my driver’s license. I proudly announced to all my friends that we would go out "cruising" later, never once entertaining the fact that I might not pass. 

Overconfident and somewhat arrogant, I went for my test and was sadly informed at the end that I had failed as I violated a traffic law. It was inconceivable to me that I had failed and I remember going home sobbing feeling that my teenage life was most definitely over! 

This failure in hindsight caused me to take my driver training much more seriously, and I ultimately became a much better driver due to this disappointment. Not the path I would have chosen, yet a helpful one in the end.

Photo by Denys Nevozhai on Unsplash

Fear does not own you

Life is filled with disappointments and trials. We all have them, yet it is how we respond to them that truly makes the difference. Some folks may let the negative people, fear, and failure immobilize them, while others will let the same circumstances invigorate them and leave them even more determined to succeed. 

I don’t claim to have all the answers, yet I am trying to be more like those who jump right in more often. We don't have to always test the waters first. I am not trying to encourage foolish or reckless behaviour. My advice is to instead have the courage to try new and sometimes scary things that in the end are ultimately for our betterment.

The Bible says in 2 Timothy 1:7 that "God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." God wants us to face our fears while believing that with him by our side anything is truly possible. 

So I ask you, how are things in your corner of the world?

How’s the water? Calm? Choppy?

Why not take a deep breath and decide today to no longer let fear and disappointment hold you back.

Say Geronimo and go for it!

Believe me there are lots of others in the pool right there with you and they will be so proud you did.

Until next time

~ Dana

Psalms 56:3 ~ When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.

Little Lesson Learned: Never let yesterday’s fears and disappointments rob you of tomorrow’s hopes and dreams.

Copyright: © 2024, littlelessonslearnedbydana 2nd edition, first edition, 2015 Say Geronimo! 

Tags: fear, failure, overcoming fear, growth mindset, keep trying, God has not given us the spirit of fear

Author

​Dana Romualdi is a Canadian elementary teacher, blogger, author, and speaker. Dana desires to "love God and love people" whole heartedly. She has a passion for helping others and spreading much needed encouragement. Dana lives in Canada with her husband and two grown children. When she is not working in the classroom or blogging, she enjoys drinking coffee, watching Netflix and reading great books.