A most helpful person came to me when struggling with the fear of starting my own business. His name: Indiana Jones.

In “Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade,” Jones literally must step into what he fears so that he can release its hold on him. After searching everywhere for the Holy Grail, Jones stands on a sheer drop, a treacherous chasm before him, the Grail waiting on the other side. His wounded father, needing the Grail to survive, cries out to him with interpretations of the clues Jones has been given to reach the Grail.

After what feels like an eternity of escalating fear and one hell of an internal monologue, Jones takes a step into the void. As he does, a stone bridge appears beneath his feet. What was seemingly invisible was there all along.

Sometimes something else happens, usually after we have tried everything else. We dare. We risk. We step into the void.

Risk to trust. Occasionally, we all must take a leap of faith, whether it’s big or small. It is a moment of wisdom, an understanding that what heals us and makes us whole (our “Grail”) is always waiting for us on the other side, across the deep chasms we are afraid to cross.

Often, we are driven to the edge by the endings in our life. Perhaps the loss of a job, a loved one or a relationship – even the end of our reproductive years. We may hear the voices of those who have been there before us giving us clues, sending us strength, showing us love. But nothing makes sense. We stand on the cliff looking out over the chasm, confused and afraid. There is nowhere to go.

Sometimes.

Sometimes something else happens, usually after we have tried everything else. We dare. We risk. We step into the void.

Maybe the void is self-esteem, purpose, or grief. Maybe it’s a canyon full of menopause or a challenging relationship. It may even be a gorge of stubbornness or pride, not speaking what’s in your heart, or the pain of self-isolation. Whatever it is, the decision to step into what we fear reveals a bridge that was always there. A foundation that can only be seen when we take the risk to think and see in new ways, and trust that we deserve what waits on the other side.