‘’Everything you want is on the other side of fear.’’
– Jack Canfield
As you read earlier this week I went to Cologne by car. Some of you may know but just to be sure I’ll repeat myself. Me and driving are not in a happy relationship, but since I still want to go on my road trip I decided I needed practice. As much practice as I can get. So instead of choosing the safe option of going by train, I decided to go by car. I really don’t know what it is with me and driving but every time I have to go somewhere new I get nervous beyond words. As also happened with Cologne. To be honest my road trip preparation scared me senseless. I was afraid before even starting the journey to the other side of fear.
First I will defend myself because that will make me feel better. The weather had forecasted snow. Whenever it snows I simply refuse to leave my house. Believe me, I am well aware that it’s one maladaptive mindset that I should definitely do something about but hear me out. Snow is dangerous. Snow makes the simple activity of walking an adventure. Or obstacle course. Pick your favorite. Many times I have seen people start ice skating without being in a rink! I simply do not wish to join the club. So I, in my teens, decided that whenever it snows I stay in. However I really wanted to go to Cologne.
What definitely didn’t help was watching the weather news on tv, internet and my phone. All while panickly staring out of the window questioning whether it was safe to go or not. All this made me wonder whether sometimes it is best to not have all the information. I mean the first day of the snow I decided against going but the second day they forecasted a lot of rain, which washes away the snow, but also a little snow. In the end I didn’t see any snow and just a little rain.
I’ll admit when I got in the car I was terrified. Absolutely terrified, but the thing that scared me most was having to wait another year. That combined with not wanting to be a person that lets fear dictate her life. I can’t possibly live a life of adventure if I keep caving to my fears. At some point during the drive you get an overview of Cologne when driving downhill. It was so beautiful, I actually welled up. The thought of perhaps not having seen that made me emotional. It was there that I once again new that Jack Canfield is right, everything you want is indeed on the other side of fear.
The thing is I just can’t help but wonder where it is we have to draw the line in terms of gathering our information. And also when is it that we need to somewhat throw caution to the wind? Making educated decisions is important, but that requires information. The information will make us decide on how cautious we have to be. Or in other words how we have to go about getting to the other side of fear. I just can’t help but wonder could it be that with somethings the wisest thing to do is to simply just do it?
How much information is too much information?
Love,
DCPR.
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