Our youngest son Matthew goes to gymnastics once a week. This isn’t the polished practiced routine of an elite gymnast among his peers. This is more like the guided explosion of toddler mayhem at a trampoline park. So last night my wife found herself once again at gymnastics with Matty and his classmates as they bumbled, tumbled, and toddled across exercise mats and through various games.
At one point during the short session the teacher lead them through a game. The kids were supposed to hide somewhere in a small area set up with a variety of obstacles. I imagine coordinating a random assortment of hyper toddlers is a bit like trying to catch a bucket of bouncing balls as they tumble down some stairs. The teacher needed to add some playful motivation. So she yelled, “Hide! There’s a scary animal coming!” Matty was still unmoved. “Quick, Matty, hide!” He resolved to stay put.
The teacher made one final effort to jolt him into action. “Matty, what would you do if a scary bear was chasing you!”
“Kill it!” He exclaimed with all his two year old gumption. To which the rest of the parents in the class erupted in laughter.
I love this story. Of course I am biased beyond measure. But this story exemplifies the warrior heart of my little Matty. Kill the scary bear. I won’t be chased into hiding. It’s more fun to stand and face the fear than cower in the shadows.
Now, Matty doesn’t get any of that. Not in the way you and I do. And that’s entirely the point. Many people overcomplicate emotion, reaction, and expectation to the point of ridiculousness. My two year old simply responded out of his nature.
I think this speaks a deep truth to a potent thing many lose along the way. Fear isn’t the boss. Matty didn’t demonstrate courage where the hypothetical bear is concerned. He didn’t stand resolute in the face of terrible adversity. He simply remained unmoved by fear. Kill the bear.
What’s your bear? What is chasing you into hiding? Is it an unresolved issue with a friend? Maybe your untapped potential or once lofted dream is there dancing over your shoulder reminding you what life you could have lived if you had not been afraid. It could be the big deal you’re too intimidated to land. The relationship you won’t initiate. The call you can’t bring yourself to make. Or the simple question you refuse to ask of yourself.
It’s your bear. It’s chased you into hiding. The life you have is not the one you were meant to have. Had you only killed the bear. Guess what? It’s never too late to kill the bear.
Turn. Stand. Don’t run. Don’t be intimidated. Just try. Do what you were born to do. Be your bold and most boisterous you. No one else can. Kill your bear. Chase fear out of the hemisphere of your dreams. Live your best life. Kill the bear. You can do it.