Lakeland College

Fear
Posted on 6/22/2011 12:29:09 AM

Hi everyone.

So it's rather late and I could think of a few things I'd rather be doing than writing this... sleep being the most important one... but when I have an idea, especially one relating to writing, I can't sleep until it's out of my system. I just figured I'd write this tonight and at least get some sleep for tomorrow. Anyways, I'm just getting back to Lakeland from Marcus Theaters where I saw the movie The Green Lantern tonight. Without playing the role of spoiler, I'll mention that part that triggered this blog. I'll tell you, though, the movie was pretty awesome; I'd recommend it, definitely. The one part in particular, though, that made me want to write this blog; actually it made me think a lot. Essentially what was happening in the movie is the enemy that the Lanterns are trying to stop is getting powerful and is going to attack Earth to gain more power to destroy the Lanterns. The main character, Hal, is a human who was chosen by the Ring to be a Lantern and he begs the other Lanterns to come to Earth and help him fight; they turn him down and say he is on his own. Basically he gives this big speech to the Elders and says something to the effect of they are too scared to even admit they are scared. He says that on Earth, we have a saying "I'm only human" implying that we make mistakes, we have fears. This almost seemed to flip a switch in my brain.

We are, in fact, "only human". We do make mistakes and we do have tons of fears. We as humans are very afraid. Afraid of letting people down or not meeting people's expectations, afraid of being alone, afraid of dying or losing someone close to us, afraid of different objects or afraid of not being good enough for anyone; those are some of my fears at least... I could probably go on and on about other things that I am afraid of and you could probably add to the list different things you are afraid of as well. The point is, in the movie the main character struggles. He is struggling through life until he realizes that life isn't about being fearless; it's about having courage to stand up to those fears. The people who are most successful aren't the ones who have the least amount of fears, but rather the ones who know how to have courage. The people who might be afraid to let someone down, but take a shot at something even if it means they fail. The ones who are afraid of being alone, but pour every ounce of themselves into their relationships fully knowing that it may leave them vulnerable. The ones who are afraid of dying or losing someone but they take some risks along the way to have a little fun. And the ones who are afraid of not being good enough for anybody but they continue to put themselves out there just so that the one person who they are good enough for can find them. Those are the people who are most successful in this world.

I'm not sure if you guys are anything like me and are scared to admit that we are afraid, but I hate admitting that. Truth is, I am only human. I have those fears; but I'm not afraid to admit that I have the courage to try and move past those fears to try and be the most successful person I can be. My challenge to you is to figure out what your fears are; what is holding you back. Then, have the courage to move past those fears and see what kind of doors open for you to be successful.

Then go see the movie The Green Lantern, it's pretty awesome.