Fear is a natural feeling that we all experience when we are about to try something new or take a big step in life. Whether it’s speaking in front of a crowd, starting a business, moving to a new city, or telling someone how we truly feel—fear tries to stop us. It whispers, “What if you fail?” or “What if people laugh?” But the truth is, fear is only temporary. Once we face it, it slowly fades away. What stays longer, and often hurts more, is the regret of not trying. When we let fear win, we are left wondering “What if?” for the rest of our lives.

Imagine a student who always wanted to participate in a school play but backed out every year out of fear—fear of forgetting lines, of being judged, of not being good enough. Years later, that student might forget the fear, but the regret of never trying may still remain. On the other hand, even if they tried and made a mistake, at least they would have a story to tell, an experience to grow from, and the courage to try again.

Life doesn’t give us too many second chances. So when the moment comes, it’s better to take the shot, even if you’re scared. Because in the end, we remember the chances we didn’t take more than the ones we did. Courage doesn’t mean you’re not afraid—it means you choose to move ahead anyway. And that choice often leads to freedom, growth, and sometimes even unexpected success.