"The thing you are most afraid to write. Write that"- Nayyirah Waheed.

What scares you? What makes you shake, tremble, question, tear up, freeze, horrified? What shakes you to the core? What rattles your bones? What are you afraid of? Better yet, why are you so afraid of "it"? Are you afraid of dying? How about rejection, loss, failure, hatred, dejection, war, and all those nasty things in the world? Do you talk about them? Do you recognize that they have little power over you? Ah, did I get you with that last statement? Yes, they have no power over you. You decide how the story ends. But back to what scares you and if you talk about it- well, do you?

I can tell you a few things off the top of my head and why I am afraid of them. I'm afraid of loss because it leaves an emptiness inside you that never seems to get replaced. It's like a gaping hole, unable to be patched up or sewn back together.

I'm afraid of dying because I have so many things I want to accomplish in this life, and though I know that may sound selfish or absurd, I am still afraid.

I'm afraid of selling myself short, of not accomplishing what I've set out to do. Why? Because I know I am capable of great things, but sometimes I struggle with believing in those plans I hold onto so tightly.

I'm afraid of what people think of my religion. That's a kicker isn't it? I'm a Catholic. There. I said it. It's horrendous to me that people label other religious persons as hateful, rude, cruel etc. based upon their beliefs, but do you even know my exact beliefs? Do you take the time to understand me as I take the time to understand you?

As you take the time to read my article this week, I ask you to think about the things you're afraid of. I ask you to consider why. Would you write about them? Would you share them with people? Are you able to stand up for yourself in a situation to explain that your fear is relevant, and you have the right to be uncomfortable?

One of my favorite parts from a song by A Day to Remember reads, "I reserve my right to feel uncomfortable reserve my right to be afraid. I make mistakes and I am humbled every step of the way. I want to be a better person. I wanna know the master plan. Cast your stones, cast your judgment, you don't make me who I am."

Our fears do not make us who we are. Other people do not shape us completely. We shape ourselves. We can be afraid, terrified, hurt, etc. We are allowed to feel, to be, to exist as we are. Never let those things consume you though. You are strong. You have a purpose. Write about what scares you. Conquer what scares you. Do not live to exist, but exist to live.