by Lori Deschene

“Each time we face a fear, we gain strength, courage, and confidence in the doing.” -Unknown

Every New Year, we make lists and lists of resolutions: all the things we want to do differently to live the lives we imagine. Most of them never come to fruition because they’re ideals we’d love to attain but have no idea how to pursue–and no real intention of pursuing consistently.

Real change doesn’t start with a long list of best case scenarios. It’s start with one simple decision to face a fear right now. Not in several days when it’s the right time of year for a new beginning. Not tomorrow when courage seems a lot more accessible solely because it isn’t now.

Big change starts small and in this very moment. It starts with facing one fear now, and then another, and then another, until you finally realize fear can only control and limit you if you let it.

Today as you imagine the change you’d like to create, think about all the uncomfortable things you’ve been putting off: the conversations you might need to have, the sacrifices you might have to make, the leaps you might have to take. Then make an active choice: I will face one fear today.

Photo by wonderlane