I was lying with my daughter last night before bed, and she said a statement that stuck with me. “Mom, it’s not what if, it’s even if.” I repeated that phrase a couple of times and whispered, “wow”!

What a profound way to look at life. My 11 year old daughter identified that fear is what drives questions starting with “what if”. What if I’m not smart enough? What if I am not quick enough? What if people think poorly of me? What if I fail?

She also reminds me that we can shift our fear to courage by changing our language from what if to even if. Even if I fail I have to try. Even if people criticize me it is the right thing to do. Even if I am not the best yet, I will fight to be better than I was yesterday.

I woke up thinking about her wisdom that is budding at such a young age. The next time the voice inside my head cowers in fear, questioning my worth with those “what if” questions, I am going to find my bravery with my “even if” perspective. Because at the end of the day, nothing important came from a “what if” mentality; everything of substance comes from someone choosing to face fear even if it is the hardest thing they have ever done.

Take the risk. Make the move. Even if you fail, what if you never tried?