overcoming fear

One of the benefits of getting older is you can chose what you do and don’t want to do. This  of course is awash in a sea of doing many things you don’t want to do but have to do.

I don’t need to do calculus, go to night clubs, hang out with people I don’t like, wear pantsuits or conservative clothes or care too much about what people think. I don’t need to eat cabbage, sweetbreads, monkey brain or go to bed early. I dont need to do homework, gymnastics, swim lessons, hall monitoring or piano lessons but I need to do other things I often don’t want to.

A couple of weeks ago a friend I have been spending time with told me what we were going to be doing last night. He had planned it out.

I did not want to do it

I was scared to do it

I totally feared the idea actually

I said “If you make me I might hate you and you might find me ugly”

I wanted to say “no”

But I did not

I said “yes”

Partially because I could and partially because it was hard and partially because don’t we need to push ourselves to feel more alive ?

So what did I do? Well I have never been a social climber but I was one last night. Click here  to find out what I mean

4 thoughts on “overcoming fear

  1. Way to go! That took an immense amount of courage to confront your life-long fear of heights and you deserve a big hug of support for pushing your boundaries of comfort, security and choice. I loved how you tie the two posts together and keep readers hanging…I read this first half, did an hour of shovelling and then read the 2nd half afterward. So glad you enjoyed yourself. Just wondering what’s next on your list of challenges??!

  2. thanks Patti! Next thing is public speaking on Tuesday of this week. I will let you know how it goes
    what about you- what is on your list?

    • I’ve always wanted to sing but up until this year, I’ve never been able to shed the negative feedback I received as a child from the nuns at my elementary school. As a TA I know all to well how labels, words and criticism can hurt a child and I really try to approach my work from a strength-based perspective. I’m happy to report, I signed up for a ‘singing the blues’ course and I’m discovering I have the ability and confidence to sing. The ultimate test, still to come is performing solo with a band in front of friends & family. Bring it on!

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