Too often we are scared.
Scared of what we might
not be able to do.
Scared of what people might
think if we tried.
We let our fears stand
in the way of our hopes.
We say “no” when
we want to say “yes.”
We sit quietly
when we want to scream.
And we shout
with the others,
when we should keep
our mouths shut.
Why?
After all,
we do only go around once.
There’s really no time
to be afraid.
So stop.
Try something
you’ve never tried.
Risk it.
Enter a triathlon.
Write a letter
to the editor.
Demand a raise.
Call winners
at the toughest court.
Throw away your television.
Bicycle across the U.S.
Try bobsledding.
Try anything.
Speak out against
the designated hitter.
Travel to a county
where you don’t
speak the language.
Patent something.
Call her.
You have nothing to lose
and everything
everything
everything to gain.
JUST DO IT.
Barry Sanders
pro football player (retired)
in an ad for Nike
