Fortress: Literally Nothing to Fear

 

“Fear is a thing that prohibits a lot of photographers from reaching their full potential.” - Collin Pierson


    If you've made it this far, how many scary things along the way did you fear that when they arrived, if they ever did, overcame you, bested you, defeated you? None, because you are here now. And even if they did do so, and your feared thing did beat you, how did fear help you other than to warn you to be cautious and prepared? Fear paralyzes, caution actively prepares. And even the cautious can lose, because events are outside our control, but still I ask: how does fear help? It doesn't, but it does rob you of joy and calm at the moment of your greatest test. So put fear aside, for it is useless to you. Because you are here and you feared many things before, most of which never came but were only imagined, and whatever did come, you figured out and were brave. I know this because here you are still are. As I wrote in my post on February 19, 2022...

    Between the extremes of cowardice and recklessness lies courage. According to Aristotle, courage is the first of the moral virtues. And courage is what we need to overcome fear.

    We all know fear, the fear of failure and the fear of the disapproval of others. And these fears prevent many of us from taking the leap into something new we want to do. Leaving a job that pays all right but that we hate doing for a new one. Abandoning an old, stale project that works but is boring for a new creative outlet that involves learning new skills. Selling most of our stuff so we can travel around the country full-time. Each has risk because we're leaving the comfort and security of the known and jumping into a pool of uncertain outcomes. Will we fail? What will my family and friends think?

    Being afraid is the most human thing of all. Bravely confronting our fear is what courage is all about. Courage isn't about being reckless or rash, taking bad risks without thought of consequence or its affects on those we care about. Courage helps us consider the situation, deal with the risks, and move forward against our fear towards the opportunity for success that we're seeking.

    What new idea have you been thinking about that's making you afraid? Are you ready to try anyway, despite your fear? Now look who's being courageous!

Clicking on the image will open it in full screen

‘Fortress,’ a symbolic rugged armor to inspire your courage and defeat your fear, from the rocks of Whiskey Beach, in Cape Henlopen State Park, in lower Delaware.

www.johnjgiardinaphotography.com


 

Location: Cape Henlopen State Park, 15099 Cape Henlopen Dr, Lewes, DE 19958, USA

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