Fear plays an interesting role in our lives.

Last season, the television show The Office made some big changes. Namely the star, Steve Carell, left the show. He was replaced by James Spader.

I have really enjoyed the shake up on the show and in particular Spader’s character, Robert California. In contrast to Carell’s Michael Scott, Spader plays a character that has it together. He is able to motivate and move those under him to do something greater – purposefully.

While Michael Scott was able to make things happen in spite of his mistakes and bumbling, Robert California leads via his suave and in control style.

The Office and Fear.

Most of all, I’ve enjoyed how Spader’s character has several times ended the show with poignant observations.

On last weeks Halloween episode, he manages to find out every person’s fear and work it into this story:

He then follows up with this ending monologue:

Fear plays an interesting role in our lives. How dare we let it motivate us? How dare we let it into our decision-making, into our livelihoods, into our relationships? It’s funny isn’t it? We take a day a year to dress up in costume and celebrate fear.

Poignant.

There isn’t much to add to his statement. We allow fear to rule our lives. How dare we!

We can’t afford to let fear and doubt control us. We can’t afford to let fear control our family, business and photography.

Conquer your fears and doubts. Make decisions because you believe in them and the people around you. Decisions made from fear usually end up being less than perfect.

Don’t be ruled by fear.