We all grow up with dreams of what we can be. 

In the playground showing off our talents for all to see. Anything’s possible when you’re laughing in school. For instance, a ballet-dancing prodigy sounds pretty cool. How about a rockstar singing in a band? Or maybe a tennis pro with a killer backhand. There’s this one girl who makes you laugh till you cramp, and another who just wants to be the world wrestling champ!

But the road to those dreams are filled with some dangers. Obstacles in the way: parents, teachers, and even some strangers. Most mean well but some are just mean… Trolls shouting at you, they’re downright obscene. “It’s never gonna happen.” “You’re going to fail.” “Why don’t you just quit?”

“No, no, no!” That's what they all scream. “You can’t do that, it’s an impossible dream!”

But there’s something worse than those doubters, you’ll find killing more dreams than all of them combined. It was brought to life the first time you tried, I’m talking about the monster you have growing inside. It gets bigger and bigger, crushing your soul, until it breaks free and goes out of control. 

Your enemy speaks, its voice strong and clear. “Hi, pleased to meet you, my name is fear.”

“I’m all of your fears and all of your stress, I’m your fear of the spotlight and fear of success, fear of embarrassment and not enough training. I’m what scares you the most… I’m the fear of you failing!”

Some spend their whole lives running from fear, even when they have friends who support them and cheer. They get gobbled up and devoured by the beast, their dreams turned to food for the monster to feast. But don't worry too much, hope is not lost… Fear can be beaten if you’re willing to pay the cost. 

There are steps to take, steps that are essential to make sure you don’t live your life never reaching potential. You land the first blow when you decide to commit, now it’s time to mix hard work with a whole lotta grit. Practice and practice, then practice some more… Improve at your craft even when it’s a chore. Get out of your comfort zone and you’ll learn faster, you’ve got to be brave, don’t let fear be your master. 

It takes time to get better, I know progress is slow… Just roll up your sleeves and keep giving it a go. And for those sitting at home, thinking that it’s too late, fear can be beat no matter what your birth date. 

Practice and practice, then practice some more. After so many battles you’ll be winning the war. Slowly but surely, you’ve faced fear head on.... Now the beast is no more, it’s finally gone!

Oops, sorry… I lied, I must take that back. Fear never leaves, it’s always waiting to attack. It’s lurking up there inside your head, sometimes it comes back just when you thought it was dead. But this time you’re in charge, there’s no need to fret, the fear is so small, it’s no longer a threat. Thanks to your persistence and focus and much follow through, the monster has shrunk to the size of a shoe. 

Fear’s scary no more, not even a fright, because you’ve put in the work night after night. 

Year after year and the end is in sight, now at long last you’re ready…

Time to finish the fight!

-Gavin Aung Than-