The Mind Killer

I hear in the performance biz, that it’s good to feel a little scared before stepping onto stage, that if you don’t feel a little scared, you’re doing it wrong. I don’t think that’s true. I think people generally find fear an effective motive, and never find anything else to be motivated by, so they just use that one every time they’re about to take the stage – metaphor or not.

I hate this idea. I'm exhausted by fear. I'm annoyed by fear. I'm burdened by it way more than goaded. Like kudzu of the heart, despite scorched-earth efforts to kill it, I still have plenty. Every time I discover a new crop, I throw up my hands and scream. On the inside, I mean.

This is probably not a healthy way to look at it. I know the psychology line for this one: Fear is an emotion. Emotions aren't good or bad. They're just you. When you fight, you're just fighting yourself. When you accept the thing is when it begins to take its rightful place in your mind and heart.

Which is both true and oversimplified. But see, I don't want to sit still and practice breathing and find my center. I just want to be fearless.

There's more in time and space to motivate you. And way better.