What Would You Do If Fear Didn’t Hold You Back?
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One of my favorite things about writing Dear Grace is getting to know the resilient, thoughtful women in this community (yes, I mean you!) and the incredible women who support them. The people who impact and guide us may not end up in history books, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t changed the world. In my experience, most of the change that has brought us to where we are today starts in small, seemingly ordinary ways and relies on our values, care for each other, and courage to show up as best we can.
March was Women’s History Month, and since I regularly get the chance to witness the amazing power of women today, I wanted to hear about the women of the past that have inspired you.
Here are some of the women from history that you admire, can you see what they all have in common?
Harriet Tubman was one of our nation’s great freedom fighters. After escaping slavery herself, she bravely guided 70 other enslaved people along the Underground Railroad to freedom and later served as a nurse and spy for the Union in the Civil War.
Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. The “Queen of the Air” never stopped pushing herself to new heights and achieved several other “firsts” for women in aviation.
Rosa Parks was a civil rights activist known for her courage and strength of will when she refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus and set the Montgomery Bus Boycott into motion.
Mother Teresa left home at 18 to pursue a life of service. She founded a new order with the express purpose of serving those that no one else looked after and treated people with love, no matter their circumstances.
Princess Diana was known for the ways that she, an outsider, changed the way that the world saw Great Britain’s royal family. She took risks to do what she felt was right, even when it went against the rules and other people’s expectations.
Dolly Parton continues to be a cultural icon known for her unique style, unapologetic attitude, and generosity of spirit. Despite her fame and stardom, Dolly never lost sight of her roots and values.
Regardless of their background, time in history, or personal struggles, the women we admire were (and are!) brave, willing to shake up the status quo, and determined to leave this world better than they found it. Trailblazers from history can seem larger than life–but in their time, they were regular people, just like us. Being a hero doesn’t mean being fearless or perfect, it means being willing to take a step forward despite that fear and with acceptance for our imperfections.
I don’t really have fear of moving forward in life, the problem I have right now is the fact that I don’t read minds, YES I have the good Lords guidance always, but that don’t mean others know the Lords voice just yet so they tend to do things a little different expecting me to know what they are wanting from me, or if they would like to set up a meeting to place a deal. I just know that if I had the full on written instructions and the necessities I needed to get to my next life altering destination I would leave right now and never look back because that’s what the good Lord would want. (TRUST) he has everything planned out for me. The thing is that would be on his time and only his time and I truly believe if the Lord wanted me to move up he would make sure I had a good running car delivered to me with a card loaded with enough money to get me to the destination he was trying to take me. With GPS in the car so that way I don’t have to feel I need to take anyone with me on my journey and I can do it just fine on my own
If I could I would go back to school to become a brain surgeon. Pass the fear!
I would praise out loud the glory of God and Jesus
Me personally, I would be, telling the leader’s of the world, the shortcomings of the ways they are trying to run the world, you don’t know what’s best for the world and people if you don’t ask the people of the world you run, we all have different needs and wants but we must come together and implement some of the needs of the people and the world. Or they would be removed from their positions by the people who put them in office
I would finally tell city council what I really think!!!
I would start a movement across the country for better protection of our children who are in the system. Better policing of who they are placed with by doing bi weekly welfare check on children placed in a home. Background check on the homes children go into. Better pay for the social workers to do this work and more worker to do welfare checks. Education and a money for the children that age out instead of just turning them away.
I would build a Healing Space for Black Women and Children to ignite our unity, heal, and activate our legacy.
Thank you for allowing me to be authentic.
If fear wasn’t a factor, who would be more bolder, more confident more sure of who I am as a woman. Knowing that nothing is impossible. And even knowing what I know now, that fear is more of a spark that lets you know that you are headed in the right direction. You but only need to make the first step.
If I did Not let fear stop me, there are SO MANY things I would do! My sister is SO BRAVE, I admire and look up to her so much. If it were not for her, I would probably still be homeless in California. Back in 2018 she drove 1000+ miles from AZ to escort us, my (then) 15 yr old daughter and I back to her house in So AZ. Most of the journey I begged her to take back roads, and at one point when we had to take the freeway, I panicked and froze for a moment. I had to make myself snap out of it…….
I would have stepped out of my comfort zone if I had the information back when I graduated high school. I would have gone to college to pursue the career I wanted. My parents wanted me to go to college around where we live. UT or BG in Ohio. So I didn’t go. But if I had known my mother’s cousin back then, I would have moved to New York. I believe I would have become a top model and I would have been able to provide the best medical attention that they didn’t know they needed. I would buy abandoned and vacant buildings have them remodeled and refurbished then go to the library with a bus one for men and one for women and provide a home for them. There is so much I would or could have done. If I had become fearless.
I would have stepped out of my comfort zone if I had the information back when I graduated high school. I would have gone to college to pursue the career I wanted. My parents wanted me to go to college around where we live. UT or BG in Ohio. So I didn’t go. But if I had known my mother’s cousin back then, I would have moved to New York. I believe I would have become a top model and I would have been able to provide the best medical attention that they didn’t know they needed. I would buy abandoned and vacant buildings have them remodeled and refurbished then go to the library with a bus one for men and one for women and provide a home for them. There is so much I would or could have done. If I had become fearless.
I believe our biggest problems in America are the people don’t understand that everybody’s different and we all the same we all lead the same red blood and if people took the time to understand how someone actually feels and how hate crimes make everybody lose a really then I believe that America would be a lot better place to live I mean you have other countries and they care about their citizens by making sure they have health coverage but not in America someone my age 61 years old doesn’t have a job and was a housewife for 30 years and I believe that our government should make sure that people don’t die I have high blood pressure my mom died of a stroke my dad had a heart attack and died my brother James died of a heart attack and my blood pressure is so high right now but I believe that America should help American citizens have health insurance I believe it should be like it was before that you have Medicaid and anybody can get on Medicaid if you have health issues I also don’t like that the marketplace
I would rescue homeless dogs and give them food and shelter and freedom to run free around a big yard.
What I believe these women had in common was faith. And faith in themselves as well, to bring about change.
I would take a college course (even though I’m 53 years old) in something I’ve always wanted to do but never thought I would succeed in.
I would go to Gaza and bring as many children home with me to my home and get them medical treatment and enough food and nourishment to feed them
I would love to stop the hate and violence against people whom are different or who have different religions. Discrimination is the worst! Maybe gear up a shelter for people who need a home or a place of refuge.
Actually, to be more braver I think I’d tell people no more often. I’m getting tired of helping trying to help people and they always go the opposite way even though it’s not the best for them matter fact I just told a friend today she takes her husband back after all the abuse is done and she had him arrested yesterday that I’m no longer going to help her so I am getting braver
I would not have listen to anyone else, but myself! I will not fear what others think of me and truly be free.
I would stand up for myself more. I often hold back because of judgment but as I’m healing my value for myself has risen so I want to have my back more unapologetically. No matter the expression on anyone’s face or stance as long as I’m not being rude just want my choices and decisions respected.
I would try to seek better help for kid who are abused in some circumstances it takes to long for the kid that is better abuse to be discovered and by the time they find out it’s to late so if I had to do anything that’s what I would do
I would shake the entire establishment it needs some shaking up..
I would be Dolly Paron. I go up and beyond to do the very best in what I do , I say , how I teach learn from others and myself..
I try to live mindfully!! Grateful for my life and my family !! I fear didn’t hold me I would be a published author
I have two fears holding me back from being my true self. One is I’m afraid to go forward and get my book of poetry published. I don’t know where to begin and money issues are present as well. Second I wish I had the strength to let go of my toxic relationship with my boyfriend of 8 years.
Thank you for asking Harriet Tubman was one of my favorite ones and the reason why I say that is because under all the dire circumstances that she encountered she never gave up she was focused on helping slaves to become free. I feel if I had had that kind of courage less fear than my life will probably be in a totally different direction One of the greatest things that we fear is changed and that was mine want it changed, but was too fearful to take the steps to change I think that my children my sons will be better and I would be better as a woman, and I taking the steps to walk away from my abusive marriage But I grew up in a society where you stick with it no matter what.
I would lead a political movement to protect the environment from greed and ignorance. Too many species are already rarely seen. Many more are sure to disappear under current policies. Air and water pollution are not a concern for certain billionaires, but the rest of us will miss being able to breathe. With courage, I would step up, and make lots of noise.
I believe in standing up for people and justice.
I give when I can and love helping mothers
I would love to be a shelter for horses that are being sent to slaughter. I love animals so I would probably have cows, goats, pigs, chickens. I would need a lot of help and money and land.
Being afraid means you just have to a pray to God to shine His light on you and wait until it’s bright 🌞 enough to over power your faith and fear will dimension. Believe in God, faith is overcome 🙏
All of them except princess di because I don’t know much about what she’s done and I’m more focused on the United States. I would like to someday help women coming out of prison that wore addicts help themselves to become upstanding citizens and have the chance to vote as that is a right that we all have now even people on parole and probation things like that. I just would like to help people that were once in a situation that I was in and these women you speak of didn’t judge anyone in that predicament or any other situation that most people frowned upon but all of these women I look up to and have for a very long time
I would sell everything & leave everyone behind move to another country start fresh.
I am Going to take a solo trip to Egypt and go down the Nile Have tried to get Friends to go But Decided to Not let fear hold me back from Going alone taking a guided trip so I’ll be with others and safe
So many beautiful statements
I have learned that being afraid isn’t the answer you have to trust and believe in yourself
As they say let go and give it to God
I’m a very strong believer in God🙏🏽♥️
I would rescue as many dogs and cats from abuse and abandonment and have a home
Good Morning,
Right off the top, I’d already be a billionaire!
If fear wasn’t a factor I would…love to travel. Just go, get a small van or camper and hit the road. I am retired and disabled, but not to the point I can’t get around. I would love to travel the US and make a picture diary of my travels. I am so afraid of disappointing my family and hurting them to the point I have put my dreams on the back burner. Maybe one day …maybe.
I’m afraid of flying and traveling as a passenger after being on a car accident, so if this wouldn’t hold me back I would be traveling around the world.
If fear and financial limitations were not an issue I would love to be a writer/public speaker.
What they have in common is they started movements. They created small ways to influence big change. While everyday we never know what things we did that sparked something in someone else! When we all move with courage we making motion! Nobody can stop the majority