On Fear and Freedom

I was hanging on by my fingernails against theAt times, the difficulty lies in knowing the
face of a 670 foot high glacier-polished rock, 600difference. Physically, both choices feel the same:
feet up, one more pitch to the top, when IUncomfortable.
suddenly had a thought, "What the heck am IWhen is fear a warning to the wise? And when is
doing up here? I'm a mommy!"it in the way of what I want? I have come up
The wind was whipping through my windbreakerwith some questions to ask myself when I am
with such force, I thought I might blow away. Ifeeling fear and needing clarity about what to do.
looked for a place to hold on. No luck. I looked* Have I done my due diligence? Have I checked
back over the route I had just climbed. Bad idea.it out? Do I even know what I am getting into?
Who were those ant-sized people at the bottom* What is motivating me to consider this path? Is
anyway? I looked up. There was a vertical wall ofit Fear? Greed? Or is it Love? Service?
smooth rock for about another 60 feet, the* Which option allows me to continue avoiding
tricky move at the end, and then, I could be oncewhat I really need to do while pretending I am
again standing comfortably on horizontal ground."working at it"? (Word to the wise: Pick the other
I started to go up. Woah! A shot of fear wentone.)
through me. I looked back down. Yikes! That was* Will this choice bring me closer to or further
scary too! My calves were aching from staying inaway from my Divine Path, life purpose, or
one position so long, and I knew a muscle crampcompany mission?
was imminent. I had to make a move.* Which choice will lead to freedom?
This is what I call reaching a critical choice point.Actually, the last question is the main one you
Do I go up? Do I go back?really need to ask, because it holds within it all
Before I resolve this cliffhanger (pardon the pun),other answers. Freedom is the result of feeling
let's consider how this might apply to otherthe fear and doing it anyway. True. It is also the
choices in life, such as business decisions.result of making sure you're using good climbing
How do I deal with fear when growing myropes that are properly tied, and you are with at
business? Sometimes fear is informative.least one person who really knows what they are
Sometimes, fear is triggered by an intuition that Idoing.
am considering a choice that will not support myI chose to go up. I made it to the top of the
aims. Okay great. Very useful. On the other hand,mountain that day. And every day in my
sometimes fear is set off at the thought ofbusiness, I get to choose again and again. I get to
trying something new, doing something a newchoose freedom.
way, or sharing more of who I am with others.