Eleanor Roosevelt’s Challenge

I came across a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962).

“Do one thing every day that scares you.”

I didn’t have to think to know what I did every day that scared me—writing.

Even now, nerves twist in my belly. The more important the work influences the extent of dread I experience. My need to get it right, to make my words both beautiful and efficient war with the accepting non-critic who remains hidden in the recesses of my brain, craving to be set free but more often than not, held captive.

In the case of writing, the threat is not physical but at the same time, I feel that a part of me risks injury no less painful than a broken bone. Facing fear on a regular basis drains my emotions and the fatigue often creeps into my sleep causing me to wake in the early hours fretting about finances or family, anything and everything that is not writing but somehow stems from the same angst. Even so, I don’t let being scared stop me from doing what I love. And yes, I procrastinate more than I should. Yesterday it was online shopping for matching holiday pajamas for my grandchildren. But I always come back to writing because what would my life be without a good challenge?