As a mother, I really enjoyed and appreciated the time I was able to be a stay-at-home mom with my three kids. But in time, after potty training, activities, sporting events, and the like, I eventually wanted to enter the workforce again. I started with a part-time support role with the school district in my neighborhood.
One day at an offsite staff development workshop, the instructor said something that really struck a chord in me.
“Do something you think you can’t.”
It was a challenging statement because it forced me to consider:
What do I really want to do but am fearful of doing?
Why am I fearful?
Why do I believe I can’t do what I want to do?
What resonated in me at that moment was my desire to be a teacher. I had yearned for a role in serving others, and throughout college I believed my calling was to be a teacher. When the instructor challenged us, I was reminded again of that feeling of purpose.
Logically, it made sense for me to pursue teaching because of my educational background, but fear has a way of controlling a person. I had been out of the workforce for so long, it had been years since I graduated from school, and I doubted my skills to move into that role.
I believed I couldn't be a teacher. But when I heard, "Do something you think you can't," something in me happened. It was that little piece of advice that was just enough to compel me to move forward. I examined my desires, ambitions and fears. I knew that if I wanted to be a teacher, I had to confront my doubts and take them head on.
At some point, one has to choose between fear and faith. Fear is believing that something bad will happen, and faith is believing that the unseen goal will become a reality. After that development workshop, I chose to rely on my faith. For me, that meant believing in my own abilities. More importantly, in meant trusting God to follow my calling.
I took baby steps at first. I did a little research on the opportunities in our school district, and I decided to ease into teaching by being a substitute. It was a great way to really decide if teaching was something I really wanted to do. Eventually, one opportunity lead to another, and that began my ten year career as a teacher.
Henry Ford said, “Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right.”
So what do you want to do but are fearful of doing? Why are you fearful? Why do you believe you can’t do what you want to do?
I dare you to do that something special that currently feels beyond your reach. And if you believe you have a calling on your life, go for it!
Courage is necessary in so many areas of life. You may be a professional looking to branch off and start your own business, an artist wanting to explore new creative endeavors, or a stay-at-home mom wanting to enter the workforce again like me. Whatever it is you desire, have the courage to risk doing what scares you. Acknowledge your fears, but then have faith and confidence as you strive for those things you want to achieve.
My children are growing older; two of them are young adults now. My hope is that they also follow this simple advice. My hope is that throughout their lives, they continue to choose faith over fear, because there is nothing more satisfying than conquering one's fears and pursuing one's calling.
Laurie H - Mound, MN
