I receive countless letters each week from people who are hesitant to make needed change in their lives, simply due to their fear of failure.

Failure isn't necessarily bad. Sure, all of us would like to succeed in every aspect of our lives and endeavors, however, this just isn't possible if we're really living our lives — taking risks and following our dreams. For the only people who never fail, are those who never try.

When we reach for the stars, occasionally we're going to fall short. This doesn't mean we should stop reaching. If we embrace our failures along with our successes, learning from each and trying again, we are bound to grow and flourish.

To do otherwise, by letting our fears control our lives, we reject taking an active role in the game of life and resign to being merely spectators on the sidelines.

I would encourage anyone who struggles with the fear of failure to take a leap of faith — faith in yourself to overcome any obstacle, any problem, any situation. Have the courage to really live life, and if you occasionally fail, just get up, dust yourself off, and try again. Each of us has the will and courage to succeed, it's simply not recognizing that fact that sometimes stands in our way.

It's a great big, wondrous world we live in — go jump right in the middle of it!