Conquering fears

I've reached a turning point in my life. 

I am done letting things hold me back.  

**I could go into the disclaimer of --

-yes, there are good reasons to fear

no, we shouldn't just go around doing whatever we want all the time

-no, I'm not advocating irresponsibility

-yes, abide by your morals

-no, don't put yourself or others in serious jeopardy**

(Lots of DUH statements, for the naysayers.

Don't be a naysayer.)

...but anyone who knows me, knows exactly what I'm saying...

Do not let fear hold you from your passions!

Here, I'm talking good, healthy, God-given passions.

I'm talking about exploring the world, doing art, speaking to groups of people, inspiring others, writing, swimming, singing, whatever it is that you think you might really want to do, but you're just too darn scared.

Or busy. Or tired. Or broke. Or old. Or young.

Stop being your own worst enemy.

If you want to change your life, then CHANGE it.

Did you hear that? Quit whining and griping. Quit blaming.

You have the power to make decisions, big and small, that will impact your life for good!

It may not happen in a day, or a week... but everyone has to start somewhere.

Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other. ~Walter Elliot

 

Forgive the picture quality. My man took it with his phone, standing on the boulder next to me.

If I climb carefully, over water, I will not die. I wasn't even high enough to DIE from that fall, even if part of my brain screamed otherwise.

All my life, I've been scared of heights. I feel like the edge is pulling me closer, drawing me in, sucking me to certain death. Yes, dramatic. I know. Still, I'm dead (ha) serious.

BUT I've always wanted to climb and explore. I want to hike, canoe, cave, raft, zipline, mountain-climb, ski, you name it. You can see how a fear of heights would certainly hinder some of these ambitions, right?

I finally decided to just do it, for crying out loud.

I can inch towards the edge of the earth (at least that's how it felt, below) without it pulling me over.  

Give me credit here. It may not LOOK high, but that was high. It was scary. It was scarier than climbing the boulder.

I was on.the.edge.of.a.cliff.

I'm not one to tempt fate by dangling my legs over the edge, but I did crawl close, and sit. I did not die.

I enjoyed it there, looking at the scenery, feeling the breeze. And then I inched my way back.

I.did.not.freak.out.

{applause}

I've also had this weird fear of dead things. C'mon, they're DEAD, what're they gonna do, right?

But it freaked me out. Bones freak me out.

I've been married for 15 years, and have not cooked meat on a bone.

I handle meat carefully, with gloves, and then I think happy sunshiny thoughts while eating said meat.

Call me weird, whatever, it just makes my stomach roll.

However, I am a firm believer in being prepared, learning survival skills...

Yeah, I'm a work in contrasts.

Soooo, when my dear friend's son shot his first deer, she offered it to me, from the kindness of her heart.

(I believe she may have chuckled inwardly, because she's awesome like that.)

See that? I put on gloves, processed, and ate that sucker!

Without wine, even!

"I believe that anyone can conquer fear by doing the things he fears to do."  

~Eleanor Roosevelt

PROOF, people!!

(again, not the best photo of me...it had been a long day!)

I had some help, from a wonderful friend who is experienced,

and had the right equipment in her well-stocked kitchen! 

These may not seem like big things, but they were holding me back. 

There are far too many things in life that we have no control over. But far more things that we CAN change, given the right mindset and motivation, persistence, and prayer.

Don't let unsubstantiated fears hold you back. 

Next up, I will hunt.

Annnd, I am starting private art lessons.

I've always wanted to, but never really had the faith in myself.

I love art. I love kids. I love teaching. What's to fear?

Also, starting my first rock-climbing class this week!

What's holding me back? Nothing. Because if you really want to do something, you can usually find a way!

What's holding YOU back?

Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy."

~ Dale Carnegie

Amen, Dale!