I have to admit, it was the picture (above) that first intrigued me. Part rock, part glam, with awesomely coiffed hair and a news camera, I had to find out more. When I did it was a reminder that once, I was fearless (we all were!) but it, like so many things, went by the wayside as daily life snuck in. But where did it sneak off to? Needing to find the fearless side of you again, too? Read on.

Like many of us, when I was little I had several different professions to note when asked “What do you want to be when you grow up?” by an adult. Veterinarian. Marine biologist. Writer. There was one anomaly that didn’t fit- war correspondent. Early on I wanted to tell the stories behind the bombs and the violence and the rage and the horror. Maybe it was the excitement, too, but it was always about the stories. I wanted to see life beyond the television screen and the backyard, peel back what I’d been fed by the media and see life in its full breadth and unsteady boom. But I didn’t.

So reading today about the death of camerawoman Margaret Moth I was awed by her story, her bravery and her passion for that career she had when she grew up. I came across these three videos below (forming one 25-minute CNN documentary) accompanying a post about Moth over at Amazing Women Rock.

So today, I just wanted to remind you (as well as myself) about that fearless part that lives inside, maybe even deep down hidden in the middle of that secret place you put it so it wouldn’t get lost. And despite your best intentions, it got lost. May you find it, dust it off and put it somewhere sensible this time. May you remember the passion and truth and call of what you wanted to be, and find some of that fire alight within, however faint. May you just simply remember it’s there, ready to be called for duty.

For me, it’s personal stories that make me want to jump in and ask and hug and run and cry and love and laugh and fight and learn and be. Ironic I’m in the job search process now as I write this, able to shape the answer to “What do you want to be when you grow up?” question, if only a little bit. Here’s to you finding that, too. Perhaps this time, we’ll be courageous and passionate enough to get on the path we should be on, instead of one more tame and familiar. We just need to keep that bit of fearlessness in our hand as we proceed, instead of trying so hard to keep it safe. Maybe by letting it guide us instead of thinking we know best, it will land us just right where we truly need to be.

Thanks, Margaret.

Want more fearlessness? Check out the super inspiring online magazine, fear.less.