When was the last time you were afraid?
According to world famous rock climber Alex Honnold, you need to experience something actually worthy of fear. He says if you don’t challenge yourself to face real danger and real fear from time to time, your mind will create it out of nothing.
Alex understands genuine fear. He’s a free solo rock climber, one of the most dangerous sports in the world. When he climbed El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, he did so without ropes or other protective equipment. Almost 3,000 feet in the air – twice the Empire State Building – Alex relied on nothing but climbing shoes, chalk, and his fingers crammed into tiny cracks in the rock. If he slipped, nothing would save him.
The rest of us spend a lot of time in climate controlled buildings, surrounded by luxury and abundance. You’d think we’d be happy all the time. Instead, we easily get worked up about things that don’t mean much in the grand scheme of things. Small matters become huge problems, like in rush hour traffic and airports.
Instead of avoiding fear, we should strive to confront it. The more we step out and challenge ourselves in uncomfortable ways, the less likely we’ll get worked up over little things. Along the way, we’ll also become stronger, wiser people who overcome obstacles, solve problems and make the world a better place.