On the other side of fear is freedom. That’s what I have decided.
My trip to Nicaragua was conceived from a question about whether I could travel alone far, far away, and enjoy rather than endure it. To my absolute delight, I discovered the answer to be YES and am already dreaming of the places I will visit next. And that was even after a surfing injury left me with a torn muscle and unable to walk without crutches a week and a half into my adventure.
The initial pain and anxiety were not much fun. Should I go home? How seriously had I injured myself (there were no confidence inspiring medical establishments in the neighbourhood!). But pretty quickly I chose to embrace it as an opportunity: an opportunity to expand the horizons of the adventure I had envisaged for myself; to gain insight into the experience of being unable to walk and the reactions (the kind and the blind) of those with whom I came into contact; and to climb into a hammock and totally let go of everything, lulled by the kindness of others and by the beauty of the world around me.
Now this is not characteristic, let me tell you. Before this trip, I did not see myself as the kind of person who could take this kind of mishap in my stride (excuse the pun). And seeing it emerge in myself so easily was — and remains — an additional source of pride. Small wishes — a drive to the beach on Christmas Day, an assisted swim in the stunning volcanic lagoon, came true (all you have to do is ask for help…), and I simply adapted and appreciated what I had, which felt enormous despite the crutches, the hospital visits and the lack of activity. So many people sympathised with me and consoled me with the “I’m so sorry. It must have spoiled your holiday” but really, it hadn’t at all.
And so what? It has just highlighted some things for me. Fear limits choice and contracts our expansiveness. It makes us smaller. It diminishes what we can be and what we can achieve. The choices we make about how to perceive and react to the world and events that unfold in it, can do the same if we are not careful. Freedom and opportunity come to those who make a conscious choice. What choices are you making in life and at work? And to what extent are they expanding or contracting what is possible for you, your people and your organisation?