Fear Not

Fear: an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger; an instance of this emotion; anxious concern; reason for alarm.  Merriam-Webster

· Change

· Failure

· Credit

· Blame

· Risk

· Authority

· Leadership

· Management

· Control

· Insight

· Knowledge

· Discovery

· Expectations

· Vision

Change is never easy as we navigate our individual and collective journeys.  Yet change is a constant as we have taken the steps that have led us from past points and in taking each new step which will orient and transport us to the future.

"A Tale of Two Cities"

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.” Charles Dickens

“Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself”

“I am certain that my fellow Americans expect that on my induction into the Presidency I will address them with a candor and a decision which the present situation of our people impel. This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days.” Franklin D. Roosevelt

"Do not go gentle into that good night"

“Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” Dylan Thomas

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” Nelson Mandela

Despite the challenges confronting us on a global scale fear not as you navigate your seasons of light or darkness.  Rather than navigate your journey with an all to easy path of retreat, pursue the future with the necessary rigor, diligence and boldness required to advance. Let us individually and collectively face our fear(s) and positively take collective steps into our good nights and breaking dawns. Rise up to the challenges and strive to be a contrasting point of light and a steady unwavering beacon of strength for our collective future. Take the important step of departure on a journey to rise above the noise and clatter and conquer that fear in whatever manifestation it presents.  Stand up and make a difference in a world needing difference making.