The Cave You Fear
An experience we never would have imagined.
It was evening.
My friends and I were walking along a hallway of rooms where our university clubs are based. Just as we passed by the Gaming Society — which offers consoles and board games six days a week — we decided to check it out.
As we were commenting on its notice board of events, someone popped out of the room and asked if we would like an introduction.
Guess what?
My friends turned quiet all of a sudden. I did the talking and agreed to it. And when she (the introducer) finished and went on to invite us to check out the room, everyone looked at each other. I could see the “decision-making” basketball being passed around.
At this moment, I considered declining the offer. Better yet, pass the ball back to someone else. It was a form of social awkwardness that my friends who were there were also experiencing. Remember? They got super quiet when the introducer approached us, leaving me to do all the talking.
What some good friends I have. #notmad.
Yet, somehow, I decided not to pass the ball but threw it into the ring. The rest of the group followed and went in to check out the place. It was awkward at times, but things changed when we were asked about our course and year.
Yes, my friend, this was it.
This was the moment that made me want to write this essay. It made me realize how true what our boy Joseph was saying.
The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.
—Joseph Campbell
Exploring the room/society was a rare student-life experience. But, the greatest treasure was getting to know a Year 4 senior who’s one of the committee members. We got tons of insights about what our Year 3 would be like and tips on the widely feared final boss — the engineering design project.
Of course, we also learned about the funny shit he went through — how he kept getting negative water pressure after countless calculations, gave up and played some board games before re-attempting. And how someone’s distillation column had a 30-metre diameter. And how mass balances couldn’t balance.
It was a good time.
And this good time was lying behind the cave we feared. Had we given in to the moment of fear, we wouldn’t have met that senior and gotten so much great information and experience.
Never.
🦁 Another cave
You know what?
Writing this reminded me of my Leo Club experience back in high school. I was in a dilemma between committing to that or the science club, which I had thought would be great for my future.
Well, I thought.
Spoiler: the science club at my school sucks — relatively speaking.
I was just a mother’s advice away from not attempting the interview to join the Leo Club’s board of directors. Perhaps I was afraid of being interviewed and tried to find excuses not to do it.
But, I did. #thanksmom. It opened up a new world where it’s not just about you, but it’s about us. You grow and help each other and the world as a Leo. You form beautiful memories with the people you work together with.
That’s something I wouldn’t have experienced had I succumbed to the fear of entering the cave and ran away. I probably wouldn’t be telling stories here too.
🏡 Take home
You never know how life’s gonna turn out — whether the cave you fear to enter truly holds something you desire.
Neither do I.
But, what I know is the top 5 regrets by patients on their deathbeds weren’t about the things they did.
But the things they didn’t do.
The words they never spoke.
The risks they never took.
And the dreams they didn’t pursue.
When you think about it, maybe the fear of entering the cave is nothing.
—Thomas
P.S. Have a cookie🍪
🏆 Weekly Gold
Each week, I share something I found interesting with you. It could be a song, a book, a quote, or a YouTube video that blew my mind.
Here’s the gold this week 👇
Ascendance of a Bookworm has been an amazing fantasy novel series to me. I sometimes found myself getting more than just the enjoyable reading experience — picked up some life lessons too. Truly a pinnacle of the fantasy genre.
Credit:
Cover photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash