The Fisherman's Choice
What's worse: the danger or the fear of danger? Give me reality, the danger itself.
Van Gogh knew something about storms.
The painter who sold one painting in his lifetime understood what fishermen have always known: staying safe on shore guarantees one thing - no fish.
"Fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm fearsome, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore. They leave that wisdom to those to whom it appeals. When the storm comes — when night falls — what's worse: the danger or the fear of danger? Give me reality, the danger itself."
Not the fear of danger. The danger.
There's a difference.
Fear of danger keeps you awake at night, rehearsing disasters that might never come. It makes you Google "what if" scenarios until 2 AM. It turns possibility into paralysis.
But actual danger? That's just Tuesday for anyone trying to do work that matters.
The entrepreneur launching her app knows the servers might crash. She launches anyway.
The teacher trying a new method knows some kids might struggle. She tries anyway.
The writer publishing his first book knows the critics might savage it. He publishes anyway.
They've all made the fisherman's choice.
Here's what's funny about fear: it's often worse than the thing itself.
The anticipation of public speaking terrifies more than the actual ten minutes on stage.
The thought of getting fired creates more stress than actually looking for a new job.
The idea of rejection hurts more than the "no" when it comes.
Van Gogh painted in poverty, madness, and obscurity. His contemporaries called his work ugly. Critics dismissed him as a failed priest who couldn't draw.
None of that stopped him from picking up his brush each morning.
Because he understood the fisherman's math: zero risk equals zero catch.
The people who change the world aren't the ones who figured out how to eliminate danger. They're the ones who decided the danger was worth it.
They chose the storm over the shore.
What storm are you avoiding?
What would you do if you knew the fear was worse than the reality?
~ aq