GoBeyond

When my wife Katrina was pregnant, every parent warned me, “Don’t blink—it goes by fast!” and I, of course, rolled my eyes. Eight months into life with River, I’m happily eating my words as she transforms from a sleepy bean into a wild, curious little explorer. Watching her learn to crawl has reminded me that growth always starts with safety—but real progress happens when we’re willing to get uncomfortable. Each tumble and tear has become a lesson in perseverance, courage, and the magic of trying again. River may have learned to crawl, but I’ve learned something even better: how to coach growth through process, not product.

There is no courage without fear.

A common misconception is that courage is the absence of fear, when the truth is that courage is one of many ways that we may respond to fear.

To ignore or reject fear is to reject a fundamental part of what makes us human. Fear is not a weakness, it is an awareness.

It is not fear that kills our dreams or growth or soul.

On the contrary, fear is proof we have a soul at all. It shows we care. It signals that something matters. And that is sacred.

The transition to parenthood has been smoother than expected, but sleepless nights with a crying baby present inevitable challenges. When my newborn, River, refuses to settle despite feeding, changing, and comforting, I’ve learned that resisting the situation—clinging to sleep and disengaging—only amplifies my exhaustion and stress. Instead, embracing acceptance as an active choice allows me to respond with clarity, patience, and effectiveness, leading to quicker resolutions and a more peaceful night. Much like navigating a river, parenting becomes easier when I move with the flow rather than fight against it. This powerful mindset shift extends beyond newborn care—embracing fears that come up with challenges in life, rather than resisting them, fosters resilience, growth, and a greater sense of control.