Eleanor Roosevelt inspires me through the simplest of words. Do one thing every day that scares you, she once said, and I believe that this is among some of the greatest wisdom ever beholden to those of us who want to maximize our experience of life, joy, growth and love.
Today I did something that scares me: I got some professional trainer pictures done. Now, for the record, I am not camera shy to say the least, especially when I am in a picture with someone else or a group of people. I love being the center of attention, when it is not intended. It’s another story however when I am forced into the spotlight. As a recovering eating disorder patient, there are remnants of self-doubt and body dysmorphia that resurface from time to time and certain things that still provoke anxiety in me — and getting professional head shots was one such thing.
I overcame my fear today, because it was an irrational fear that was holding me back, and the pictures turned out better than I could have possibly hoped for. Eleanor’s wisdom gave me even more inner strength today through the words in the above pictured quotation: “I am what I am today because of the choices I made yesterday.” Everything we do has an effect on what we will do in the future, so take pride in the days that you triumph over fear, uncertainties, and self-doubt because it is in those decisions that we are molded into the people that we are meant to become for all of our tomorrows.
Make the choices that you need to make to be the best version of you possible both today and tomorrow. Every little decision you make, every obstacle you overcome and every self-doubt that you squash makes a difference. We are what we are today because of our choices we made yesterday and we will be what we will be tomorrow because of our choices today. Choose your thoughts and your actions wisely and with confidence, and do one thing every day that scares you.