Have you ever seen We Bought A Zoo? It’s one of my favorites.
In the movie, Benjamin Mee buys a zoo, a decision that is as spontaneous as it is terrifying. He finds himself in a completely new environment, surrounded by people who know the ropes, while he feels like an outsider trying to fit in.
In an effort to blend in, he buys new clothes that he thinks will make him look the part.
However, it quickly becomes clear that his attempt to disguise himself is unnecessary. The people around him recognize that he’s out of place, but they appreciate his effort and welcome him into their world anyway.
There’s a moment in the movie We Bought A Zoo where Benjamin finds himself sitting with his teenage son, who has just opened up about a vulnerable moment.
In that scene, Benjamin shares a piece of wisdom with his son: “You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage… literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery, and I promise you, something great will come of it.”
Unfortunately, we often hold ourselves back from life’s greatest opportunities simply because they might be uncomfortable. Whether it’s a new adventure, a daunting challenge, or an unfamiliar experience, sometimes all it takes to overcome our fears is just a few seconds of courage.
Courage on the Rapids
I recently returned from a family vacation in Idaho, where I had the opportunity to reflect on this concept of insane courage. There were about 35 of us, including my brothers, their wives, and my own family. We spent the week white water rafting, boating, and wake surfing.
White water rafting was something I had done countless times before. My parents had a cabin near the river, and I started guiding trips down the rapids when I was just 14 or 15 years old. I knew that river like the back of my hand.
This time, however, was different.
My daughter was going on the river for the first time, and while my son had some experience, he hadn’t been on this particular river either. Suddenly, the river that I knew so well felt enormous and unpredictable. I started to worry.
What if something went wrong? What if my kids weren’t ready for this? My mind spiraled into anxiety, turning a familiar and enjoyable activity into something terrifying.
But when the time came to hit the water, I took a deep breath and reminded myself of how many times I had successfully navigated those rapids.
I forced myself to push through the fear, drawing on those 20 seconds of insane courage. As soon as we got going, the nerves melted away. We had an incredible time, and the river was just as I remembered—exhilarating, but manageable.
Sometimes our own minds are our worst enemies. We build things up in our heads to be bigger and scarier than they actually are, and in doing so, we can miss out on amazing opportunities.
If I had let my fear take over, I might have canceled the trip, depriving my kids of the chance to experience the thrill of white water rafting, and to see the beauty of nature up close, and to create lasting memories with our family.
During the trip, we saw two ospreys dive into the water and catch a fish, several pelicans, a blue heron, and even a moose! It was a stunning reminder of what’s out there if we’re just willing to push past our fears and take that leap.
Our brains have a way of making mountains out of molehills, but when we confront those fears with a little bit of courage, we often find that the reality is far less intimidating than we imagined. Courage has a ripple effect. When you muster the bravery to take that first step, you set off a chain reaction that can lead to incredible outcomes.
Just Dive In
So the next time you find yourself on the brink of something new and daunting, remember Benjamin Mee’s words: “All you need is twenty seconds of insane courage… literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery, and I promise you, something great will come of it.”
Don’t let fear hold you back. Don’t let your mind turn a manageable challenge into an insurmountable obstacle.
Instead, take a deep breath, summon your courage, and just dive in. Whether it’s a new adventure, a business opportunity, or a personal goal, those 20 seconds of bravery can make all the difference.
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