Courage Now Equals Thankful Later

Your future self counts on your current courage. 18 years old. Never been in an airport, let alone fly on a plane. My hands were shaking in the military recruiter’s office.

I was terrified to leave home, but something stronger was calling. I always had a curiosity about the world beyond Pittsburgh, PA (home).

When I arrived at my first duty station, Homestead AFB, Miami, the officer in charge of logistics said, “Two jobs are open, a desk job and one kicking boxes in a warehouse on the flight line.” I jumped at the warehouse job.

Sitting in an office did not sound like it offered any adventures. Was I little scared and intimidated about working on the flight line of a fighter plane base? Yes!

But I chose the path that unnerved me most. I did not know it then, but being uncomfortable is where growth lives.

That single decision led to traveling all over the US, my first international trip (Norway), being stationed in Germany for two years, and to a confidence I never knew I had.

Here are a few things I learned:
Anxiety can be tamed. But only through action, not avoidance.

Every new city, every new culture – the fear was there. So was I, showing up anyway.

I went from an anxious suburban kid who’d never been anywhere to a confident globe-trotter.

Not because the fear disappeared, but because I got comfortable being uncomfortable.

The truth: Your comfort zone is not your friend. It’s a prison.

Maybe you’re staring at a career change at 50-something (like I am today). Maybe you’re going off to college or into the military. Maybe you’re moving across the world.

Anxiety about the unknown will always be there.

The question is, will you let it drive, or will you take the wheel?

I’m so grateful for my younger self having the courage to do what I did.