The story is told of a young lady who had the butterflies before her big skating event.  She told her coach she just couldn’t go out on the ice because she was too afraid.

His response?  He told her she was just nervous, not afraid.  Then he explained the difference with the example of a man who went into a restaurant and ordered a $100 meal.  He was nervous about splurging on such an expensive meal, but he knew he had the money to pay for it.  Fear would be ordering a $100 meal when he didn’t have the money to cover it.

The young skater proceeded to the competition and finished in first place.

Fear can keep you from achieving your goals, or even setting goals at all.  It can cause you to live a life of mediocrity and unhappiness.  It keeps you from trusting yourself and taking risks that would bring fulfillment to your life.  If allowed to persist, it can keep you from really living.

Feel nervous, but do it anyway.  That is when you can live . . . your life to the fullest.