Dont Let Fear Stop You From The Waterslide

Say Yes to New Adventures

It was a Fearless Friday at the Rutz Household this week. My two-year-old daughter has transitioned to the next level of swimming lessons, which means she now goes into the pool without her parents—just her and her teacher. This was her second week in her new class. During the first week, she went kicking and screaming from her bedroom to the car, from the car to the entrance of the building, and finally to the pool. It wasn’t until a Paw Patrol character was introduced that she finally calmed down. As the lessons progressed, her confidence grew, and by the end of the session, she was excited to celebrate her success.

All parents hate seeing their child cry and dread the thought of having to go through that process repeatedly, believing it will take time for their child to adjust to something new. However, when this Friday arrived, I was shocked that my daughter showed no fear. When it was time to change for swimming lessons, she confidently declared, “I go to swimming lessons, and you do not come into the pool; I go by myself. I want my strawberry swimsuit.” As my daughter grabbed her Tango stuffed animal and lay on the floor for her ever-so-dramatic diaper change, I found myself thinking, “How can she move past her fears so quickly?”

As a coach, fear is often the most significant barrier we encounter. Fear keeps us stuck in the pre-contemplation or contemplation stages of change. It exists because it provides comfort; as humans, we feel safe where we are. However, that mindset can prevent us from chasing our dreams or reaching higher goals. It leads to complacency and negatively impacts our mental and physical well-being.

1 John 4:18 states, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” This verse signifies that everything we want to achieve or that holds meaning for us comes with a degree of fear. If we wish to excel in our jobs, become better parents or partners, or improve ourselves, the fear of not pursuing what could enhance our lives keeps us complacent.

When swim lessons were over, my daughter exclaimed, “I WENT DOWN THE SLIDE BY MYSELF!” This meant she walked to the top of the slide and went down without help. By overcoming her fear of swimming alone, she achieved a bigger goal. She didn’t stop at simply reaching the pool, nor let her mind dwell on the potential dangers of going down the slide; instead, she focused on the positive possibilities.

Overcoming fear isn’t about fixating on everything that could go wrong; it’s about recognizing all the good that can come from being fearless.