I have always disliked heights. So recently while visiting my parents I was tested. 

They live in the eastern part of Texas where humidity causes mold to grow on the underside of the eves and front porch of their house.  The only thing on my dad’s list of things I could help him with was to rid his painted siding of the mold.  I loaded a pump sprayer with a bleach mixture, carefully placed the ladder against the house, and began to climb. 

Reaching the top I bravely hoisted the sprayer onto the roof and carefully put one foot in front of the other, often crouching down as low as possible, as I slowly made my way to the top. Once at the peak I looked down and felt a flash of fear. Then I saw my father, looking small as he stood on the ground watching me.  Seeing him, my fear was replaced with determination. He needed me to do this.  No matter how stinky the bleach, or how hot the roof, or how my eyes stung when the wind caught the spray and sent it back into my face, I carried on. 

When I was finished I felt a great sense of accomplishment. While I am not ready for a career change to high-rise window washer or roofer, the next time I visit my parents I will climb back on their roof.  Doing so is the way to accept that while it is okay at times to be scared, it is not okay to allow fear to prevent us from doing what needs to be done to create our best life. That means it is necessary to face our fears head on so we learn that YES WE CAN!