They were considered radicals at the time – the few colonists who desired complete independence from Great Britain. They wanted the right to vote and a civil democracy. In 1776 a five-man committee took the biggest risk of their lives, and literally risked their lives for freedom. Among these men was Thomas Jefferson, who drafted the historic Declaration of Independence.

Those responsible for the document and those who signed it (hello John Hancock) could have been beheaded for treason. In spite of it all they spoke out against the King for what they believed. Certainly no one knew what would happen and even though fear was prominent, they took a risk and did it anyway.

Risk requires courage, bravery and faith. It asks that you rise above your fears to do what in your heart you know is right.

Bold action is a necessary part of risk. There are no guarantees that you won’t fail, get fired, ruin a relationship or worse, but sometimes it’s necessary to do what needs to be done in order to live a more meaningful life.

“The reward is in the risk.” ― Rachel Cohn via @Terri_Cole (Click to Tweet!)

For almost everyone fear is the number one reason they don’t take risks. They stay in jobs they hate, in relationships that aren’t right and give up on their dreams because they’re scared. They stay small and in doing so limit their capacity to make a difference in their own lives and in the lives of others. However, what I want you to recognize, whether you live here or not, is that you can get inspired by the courageous energy America’s Founding Fathers possessed.

Now I know that starting a blog, becoming an entrepreneur or breaking up with your boyfriend isn’t quite the same thing as risking your life. (Though depending on where you live, it could be.) However, fear can be debilitating whether it is life threatening or not and in order to move forward you have to know what is stopping you.

Fear can be very sneaky and mask itself as practicality or logic. It will have you focus on all of the reasons why you shouldn’t take a risk. Fear will convince you that you don’t have the time, money, energy or smarts to do that thing you can’t stop thinking about.

After a while you start to believe the lies your fear mind keeps telling, unless you take action. Even one small step can start to prove your fear wrong.

This weekend I want to invite you to take a risk. Whether you consider it big or small, step through your fear and do something that you haven’t dared to do before. Whether you decide to slap on some red hot lipstick you’ve been too shy to wear or ask your boss for that raise you’ve been wanting to for over a year, remember risk is about moving through fear. While you may not always get what you want, in taking action you move closer to honoring yourself and your desires.

In the comments below please share with me one risk you plan on taking in the next few days! And as always, take care of you.

Love Love Love,

Terri

Terri Cole is a licensed psychotherapist, transformation coach, and an expert at turning fear into freedom. Sign up for Terri’s weekly Tune Up Tips and follow her on Twitter.

Image courtesy of Got Credit