by LaVonne Ansari

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on two emotions that often seem to play tug-of-war in our lives: fear and joy. With its grip, fear pulls us back, while joy pushes us forward, urging us to embrace life fully. Yet both are deeply intertwined and explain what many of us are feeling these days.

Fear is a force that can paralyze us, keep us in the safety of what’s known, fill us with whispered doubts and warnings of danger, and lead us to question our decisions. Paradoxically, while fear seems like a darkness we can’t escape, it can also lead us to personal growth and motivation, challenge us to confront what’s uncomfortable, explore the unknown, and find strength we didn’t realize we had. Like riding a bike for the first time fearing falling, we soon find our balance, riding freely for the first time.

Joy is a feeling that sweeps over us when we least expect it, emanating from a stranger’s smile, achieving a desired goal, hearing a beloved song, sharing laughter with loved ones, and from moments of peace that inspire wondrous possibilities, making us feel grateful to be alive.

Often, we appreciate joy only because we have also faced fear. While fear tells us where we’ve been, joy reminds us of where we’re going. Learning to dance through life while experiencing both of these emotions inspires courage and helps fill the spaces inside of us where fear once resided.

May you learn to embrace both these emotions, allowing them to shape and guide you to become the person you are meant to be, especially in challenging times when we must all find faith, meaning, and perseverance.

LaVonne Ansari is the Chief Executive Officer of the Community Health Center of Buffalo.