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Reflection

Nothing to fear but….

Retirement Reflections

Look up “Fraidy Cat” in the dictionary. Go ahead; I’m happy to wait.

Did you see my picture there? I’m not surprised.

The truth is, I can be a big chicken. Tons of things scare the heck out of me. Okay, maybe not in large enough proportions to officially be considered phobias, but still, scary enough.

Here’s a partial list. Some fears, I was too afraid to mention. Others were simply overkill.

• Spiders, rats, cockroaches, snakes,
• Things that go bump in the night,
• Horror films,
• Much of the news,
• Being a bag lady,
• Shirking my responsibilities.

There’s zero chance that you’ll find me sky diving, bungee jumping or even water-skiing. And don’t even get my started on chaotic city traffic, dark alleys or missing out!

Last February, when immersed in my ‘week without technology experiment‘, I set a goal for myself to “do something that scares me.” I knew exactly what I meant by this: Hot Yoga! I had always wanted to try it (not Bikrim, just plain hot yoga). I would talk to my yoga instructors. I’d diligently make a plan. I’d set a date. Me being me, I would madly read up on the subject. Then, the night before said date, I would promptly talk myself out of the whole crazy idea.

Fear of Hot Yoga: Unsplash
Another Hot Yoga fear: “What’s that I smell?!”

This past Wednesday, I finally got up the nerve and did it! Okay, so it was a gentle class, and slow, and not the hottest of the hot classes. Still, it was 33 degrees Celsius (92 degrees Fahrenheit) so it officially qualified.

How did I do?

I loved it! The often touted benefits made sense to me. I will definitely be back!

How do you address your fears?

Published by Retirement Reflections

Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.

108 thoughts on “Nothing to fear but….”

    1. Hi, Kim – The more that I read your posts and comments, the more I discover how much we have in common! I agree that so many things on my “Fears List” are not so bad, once I actually try them. It’s the convincing myself to try them part that is usually the hardest! 🙂

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  2. Your list made me smile! The top of my list is the news. It’s always bad news except for a short segment at the end about someone who did something nice. One freaking person did something nice! That’s it? Anyhow you are ahead of me. I’ve been wanting to try yoga (cool yoga) for 7 years now. Every time I set a date, something comes up. (or does it?)

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    2. A lot of people have similar thoughts about news: that it is always negative. Historically news was devised like that: something that is out of ordinary. If everything is going well, that is not news, but if something is going wrong, then that is news. True, one has to skip the headlines. Sports is a good relief; where it is always about achievements and triumphs.

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  3. You are so cute, Donna! I love that top photo of you. 🙂 Funny, our fears are quite similar. As I’ve gotten older, I try not to carry around too much fear since most things are never as bad as we allow our mind to imagine. Yay you! I’m so happy you enjoyed the hot yoga! xo

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  4. I feel unjustifiable fear (as opposed to fearing something that could really hurt or kill you, which is a good thing) is a call to try that new thing. So being afraid of jumping out of an airplane is justifiable in my books. But if I was afraid of hot yoga (I’m not, just uninterested as I don’t do well in heat), that would spur me on to try it out. Conquering these types of fears builds confidence, I think. Glad you did and that it was good for you, Donna!

    Deb

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    1. Hi, Deb – Your theory is very wise. My problem is that I truly believe that what I am afraid of can actually kill me (or at least cause serious harm). Hot yoga? Hell, yes! When I do gather up the nerve to try them, I am usually amazed that I escaped unharmed! 🙂

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  5. “Some fears, I was too afraid to mention.” LOL!
    Totally hear you, in fact, I have three things on to-do list for today that will probably not get done because… chicken here 🙂

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  6. Haha. Love this. One of mine is singing in public. I tried to join the Parksville Community Choir last week. But after two hours being in the back corner (where I couldn’t get out) and in the wrong section (soprano 2 instead of alto) sitting next to Judy who wouldn’t share her music with me I probably won’t be back!! But I tried it.

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  7. Good for you Donna! For diving into fear! I fear deep yin yoga but dove in 1 year ago and now love it. Does amazing things for my body and mind. Being at peace with feeling uncomfortable and doing it anyway is my #1 tip. I followed this tip right into a cage with 3, 400 pound tigers and also faced down a spitting cobra once. Put it to the test LOL!

    Ryan

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    1. Hi, Ryan – Your ability to dive into facing your fears is very impressive. Mine is more like tip-toeing in. Your tip about being at peace with feeling uncomfortable is great advice for so many different situations. Thanks so much for commenting.

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  8. Fear – just the very word strikes – I reckon fear is now an habitual response for many of us and it concerns me that governments use fear and confusion as agents to keep us in submission and bent to its will. See, I took this overly seriously – 😀

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      2. Yup, I’ve seen that side of you too! I will forever have the image in my mind (and in my ears) of you repeating the micro-mini recording of “xie xie” again, and again and again–driving your husband to distraction! 🙂

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  9. Hi Donna! You fooled me. You don’t strike me as a fearful person at all. You travel a lot, are extremely friendly with everyone and seem to do all sorts of interesting things. The people I call fraidy-cats stay home all the time, rarely go anywhere new, are afraid to try just about anything out of their comfort zones, etc. Being mindful looks different in all of us and I’d call you that. As for jumping out of an airplane….I did that for my 40th and have NO REGRETS…we all have our level of comfort I think! Good for you for pushing into your “danger zone” with hot yoga! ~Kathy

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    1. Hi, Kathy – Once again you are very good for my self-esteem. “Being mindful” — I love that expression! There are so many things in life to say ‘yes’ to, that I find it is usually easy to sneak in a few “no, thank yous” without anyone noticing. Having definite fears that are “no gos” for me, helps me to more deeply respect other peoples’ fears of things that I embrace naturally. Thank you for your very thoughtful comment.

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  11. I’ve jumped out of an airplane, I’ve water-skiied, but bungee-jumping is just crazy 😉

    I’ve long had the motto Be Afraid, Do It Anyway. Yes, sometimes I wonder how I made it to this old age, but I believe in challenging our fears. Ok – just to set the record straight, you would never find me on a show like Fear Factor – spiders, snakes, eating bull’s balls … yeah, no thanks. But hot yoga? Meh. There’s something about the risk of throwing up or passing out from the heat that doesn’t sound very attractive to me … not to mention the smell 😉

    Keep pushing the edges of that comfort zone! That’s where life is lived 🙂

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    1. Hi, Joanne – I love your motto about continually pushing the edges of our comfort zones. It is a great reminder for me to look back at my list and see what else I can conquer!
      BTW – I am very impressed that both you and Kathy have jumped out of planes. 🙂

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      1. ha – I’m not sure I would have the courage to do it again. It seems that the older I get, the more I become aware of what can go wrong.
        Ahhh – the joys and naivety of youth 🙂

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  12. I had hoped hot yoga would be my thing But it was basically too gross to go back to. My big fear is getting my vein punctured for blood draws. I’d rather faint through the process.

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    1. Yikes! That is scary!! Our youngest son was a fainter as a child. Even as a teen, our doctor insisted that I was in the room with him for blood draws. Good thing he outgrew this (it would be a long flight to doctor appointments). 🙂

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  13. Loved this Donna! Fear is one of those emotions that can paralyse us if we let it. I find I’m getting braver as I get older and trying new things, within reason, to break through the fear. Like my recent zip wire experience!! I commend you on trying hot yoga out and embracing it. Good for you 😀 I’m still not exactly sure what it entails but it sounds like fun.

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    1. Hi, Deb – In some areas I have become braver as I’ve aged, and in others areas I have definitely become more cautious. So much so that my husband has a hard time believing some of the things that I did when I was younger. Youth can bring a much greater illusion of being invincible.
      BTW – Hot Yoga is pretty much the same as regular yoga with the heat turned up. I found that it made me much more flexible.

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      1. Thanks for the explanation Donna, I thought that was the case. I agree with you, when I was younger I was invincible, no illusions about it!! Life is very different now that’s for sure!!

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  14. The closest I’ve come to Bikrim yoga was bending over during a hot flash. I’m not afraid of hot yoga, it just sounds so unpleasant. I am afraid of many activities that have the possibility of me hitting the ground at tremendous speeds (bungee jumping, sky diving, mountain climbing), but I have zip lined and I’d be open to a balloon ride and maybe parasailing. I have had to force myself to climb ladders since I fell off one and broke my hip two years ago, so I guess that’s a fear I’ve overcome. I’m not afraid of most critters and creepy crawlers, but I do have a healthy respect for those that can hurt me. You don’t strike me as overly cautious, Donna… I bet you just have a few apprehensions like most of us have… some that are perfectly rational, and some that are worth overcoming.

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    1. I howled at your opening line, Janis. It totally cracked me up! I’ve done a balloon ride (in Turkey) and would do one again. Richard, who is usually super adventurous, has given a big “no way” to a balloon ride anytime, anywhere.
      I like the way that both you and Kathy think — and the kind words that you both share. I look forward to catching up soon!

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  15. My weirdest fear is “fear of getting down”. So, it’s not the height, it’s the “will I be able to climb back down?” Of course, I’m there with many of your list as well… especially creepy, crawly things.

    Anyway, I’ve avoided hot yoga only because I sweat so much in regular yoga. Drip, drip, slide on mat and execute a split. No way. This is a justifiable fear of a pulled muscle.

    I’m doing something that scares me next month. I’m taking motorcycle riding lessons. So I can get a license and buy a (super cute) scooter. You need a motorcycle license in Ohio to drive a scooter, even though a scooter barely goes over 35 mph. How did I address this fear? I paid for it (the class); hubby was shocked in fact. My heart will be racing the day of class, this I do know!

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  16. Yay Donna! I’m glad you conquered one of your fears and enjoyed it. No specific fear comes to my mind. If I’m about to feel scared about something, I visualize something good or positive and focus on it to overcome my fear.

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  17. Good for you! Hot yoga looks interesting. There are some things that scare me. Looking at your list I agree about snakes but I’m always up for a good horror movie 🙂 Your new pink theme (or is it coral or salmon) looks nice ♥

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    1. Hi, Dee – Thanks you for your feedback on my new theme. It was definitely time for a change. I’m not sure what the border colour is. I simply played with it until it was pink….without being to princessy!
      I did watch a few horror movies when I was younger — but I would never consider that now. The news is frightening enough!

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  18. You made me laugh Donna – I don’t think of you as scaredy cat at all – but I could tick all the things on your list (and the extra few you added!) Glad you tackled something scarey and enjoyed it. I did that with Tai Chi – I wasn’t scared of the class, I was scared of rocking up to a new place on my own and was so proud when I walked in the door – and then kept going every week.

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    1. Hi, Leanne – Good on you for taking a chance on Tai Chi. That is also on my “Things I Want to Try” list. I just need to travel a bit less so that I can commit to attending their classes! They always seem to begin when I am away!

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      1. Hi Donna – I’m back again for #MLSTL and just wanted to say thanks for your input about the party last week – it was the boost Sue and I needed to stand our ground and keep the party the way we originally envisaged it – and that’s been such a good thing xxx Shared this on my SM!

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      2. Hi, Leeanne – Thank you for your kind words. The MLSTL community is a very unique, collaborative and quality place. I greatly look forward to joining in each week! (Actually, that’s what I was doing when your comment popped up.) 🙂

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  20. This made me smile Donna. Glad you tackled one fear – good for you. There are plenty of things I’m scared of which is very frustrating. You won’t see me jumping out of a plane or bungee jumping for instance, but I do try to step out of my comfort zone every now & again, for instance, I was terrified of trying snowboarding but now absolutely love it & go every year & now even tackle a few black runs. I’m scared of the sea, mainly because of sharks, but love surfing & boogie boarding. I just push myself. Have to agree with you on the snake thing but I have stroked one. It’s a great post Donna a thought provoking subject 😀👍

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    1. Hi, Sam – I agree that it is finding the balance of expanding our comfort zones while keeping ourselves physically and emotionally safe. Years and years ago I went way beyond my comfort zone on an advanced cross-country skiing slope (to impress my now husband). Bad decision. Lesson learned.

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  21. Good for you — I often wonder if my lack of desire for some activities is rooted in fear – particularly things I’d always wanted to do when I was younger like sky diving or handgliding. Either way, I won’t push it. 🙂

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    1. Hi, Janet – You raise an excellent point. When I was preparing my ‘Fears List’, it was often hard for me to discern between 1) What I truly feared 2) What I just didn’t like 3) What I had no interest in. I initially put “tv” in the “not interested in” category. When I thought it through further, horror films and the news can definitely keep me up at night — so I moved it that one over and narrowed down the category. It was an interesting process!

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  22. Well done, Donna!

    During our three-month house in Sacramento a couple of years ago, I signed up for a $30 for a month trial at a yoga studio. What I didn’t realize was that this studio only did hot yoga… Since I was not going to waste my money, I couldn’t do anything else but try out all the classes they offered. I liked the slowest one the best. But, each time I made one move, I dripped with sweat. Not something I usually enjoy. As for my fears, I can’t really think of any right now, but there is plenty of stuff (like city traffic) that I get annoyed by. 🙂

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    2. Hi, Liesbet – I remember you mentioning that yoga studio. The class that I ended was slow and gentle. That particular class is only once per week. I can’t wait to go back (tomorrow).
      Good on you for having minimal fears. I didn’t even list all of mine (did not want to bore readers to tears)! 🙂

      Did you make a decision about a meet-up day?

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  23. I love it….everyone tells me I’m adventurous but I do the same as you. Plan and then back out. But there are things I have done that others wouldn’t but only after a ton, I mean a TON of research!! LOL!

    #MLSTL visitor (shared on SM)

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    1. Hi, Donna – Like you, I’m a natural researcher. Through trial and error, I discovered that sometimes it is the research that increases my fears and causes me to back out of a planned event. That had definitely been the case with Hot Yoga and me. This time, I did zero research before my Hot Yoga class. After returning home triumphantly, my husband presented me with the newspaper headline, “JFK’s nephew, Christopher Lawford, 63, dies in hot yoga class”. It’s a very good thing that I saw that AFTER my class! 🙂
      BTW – I did receive both of your comments so deleted the second duplicate. It wasn’t you, it was definitely my WP!

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  24. Damn. You have some fears that you were too afraid to mention? Now, that’s scary. Most of the ones you did mention, I can definitely find some common ground. Probably the only one I can’t include is missing out on something. I’ve always had this perverse joy of being the odd one out.

    But congrats to you, Donna, on trying the Hot Yoga! One of these days I’m going to do the same with a Zumba class, which I’ve always thought looked fun. But only if there are a few men in it; I’d hate to be the odd one out. Oh, wait… – Marty

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    1. Yup, a blogger has to have some boundaries! 🙂
      My mom participated in Zumba classes for years. When I was traveling, she frequently requested for me to pick up some blingy scarves and waist ties for her classes. That was enough to scare me off of Zumba right then and there!
      Very funny closing line, Marty. I am glad that you are back!

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  25. Good for you for facing your fear and trying something new. It’s funny how our fears are so different. My most recent fear was getting my professional pictures taken. I was terrified. They turned out good, and now I’m glad I did it!

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  26. I try to keep two columns in my Fear Catalogue. Obviously and Just Me. So poisonous spiders and snakes go into the Obviously column, the rest go into the Just Me column and I work at pushing my limits. Bungee jumping may be in the Just Me column but it gets a special rating of Why Should I! so I don’t push my limits there. Dark streets I push my fear envelope on, even if I talk to myself on my cell if I feel uncomfortable so the muggers and aliens know help would be moments away if they grabbed me. I don’t like city traffic but I do like feeling smug that they didn’t beat me so I tackle it when I must!
    Great post melding Reality and Humour!!
    #MLSTL

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    1. Hi, Agnes – Thank you for your kind feedback on this post. I completely understand you talking on your cell on dark streets. I think that’s similar to me singing (at the top of my lungs) when hiking out in bear country. Although my husband did mention last time, that my singing sounded more like a wounded animal in distress. That’s definitely not the vibe that I was going for!

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  28. Funny–when I looked in my dictionary, there was a picture of me! The ultimate fraidy cat. I will not watch a horror movie. I get a little panicky when I have to drive on the freeway. I won’t ask you to go bungie jumping or skydiving with me. However, there are times when I’ve done things that terrified me–usually there was peer pressure involved–and I am almost always glad I did. I went ziplining and parasailing, because my husband really wanted me to go with him. Both experiences were thrilling and provided beautiful views. Facing physical fear also has the added benefit of taking me out of my head for a change–a good thing for an overthinker like me

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    1. What an awesome comment, Christie. You completely cracked me up!
      I’m impressed that you’ve gone ziplining and parasailing. Both of those are seriously NOT going to happen for me!
      Due to peer pressure, I I have also done many things that have terrified me — including white water rafting. Like you, I was (almost) always glad that i took the chance.

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  29. Snakes and heights are my biggest fears. I won’t pick up a magazine if I know there is a picture of a snake in it. And there is no way in the world I would bungee jump or parachute out of a plane.

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    1. Hi, Victoria – Thanks so much for dropping by and sharing this. Strangely enough, heights are fine for me. Pictures of snakes, spiders, cockroaches, etc. are also okay — but not pictures of violence, horror or abuse.
      I’m glad to hear that you won’t be inviting me out to bungee jump or sky-dive. But a nice cup of coffee together (at a low height) would be fabulous! 🙂

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  30. I’m a scaredy puss, and always have been although I’ve pushed through my fear on lots of occasions. White Water Rafting in Nepal, climbing Kilimanjaro, and other jaunts which have scared me. These days I have found that with age has come increased anxiety and I think it’s rooted in not getting out into the real world enough – blogging as much as I love it has a lot to answer for!

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    1. Ever since I began reading your blog, I knew that I liked you, Jo. This comment absolutely confirms that! Climbing Kilimanjaro is impressive and not for the faint of heart (my husband did that with one of our sons, while I lounged around in Singapore with another of our children). I agree that blogging does have much to answer for!

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  31. Hi Donna I’m scared of heights and yet I don’t mind flying which is ironic. I haven’t tried Bickram Yoga but it certainly must take you out of your comfort zone. Like you I’m not a fan of horror films but I do try to overcome my fears because it makes me feel stronger. A great message and thank you Donna for being part of our #MLSTL community xx

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    1. Hi, Sue – I wonder if your fear of heights is actually a fear of falling? If so, that may explain your comfort with airplanes. I had never given much thought to how overcoming our fears can make us stronger – but I believe that you are absolutely right about this. Thank you for stopping by …. and for commenting twice!

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  32. I have noticed that my fear list is slowly getting a bit longer these days. In my 20’s and early 30’s I made a point to attack my fears head on. But now, I feel like the fears I have are pretty well founded. Now my anxieties are something else entirely different, and I probably should start addressing them.

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    1. Hi, Cherie – I agree that it’s an interesting shift. There are some things that I did previously (including driving like a maniac) that I would never do now. In equal measures, there are things that I’ve done in retirement (including walking 720 km of the Camino Trail) that I wouldn’t have considered before. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. I greatly appreciate it.

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  33. I will defend my fear of snakes, spiders, and heavy traffic to the end, Donna! But I am intrigued by hot yoga and think that with the cold that sets into my bones and muscles with the advent of fall/winter, it could be a lifesaver for me. One of the things on my to-do list is to enroll in a yoga class, and maybe I should just beeline it to the hot yoga section. I feel warmer and more relaxed just reading your post. BTW – I love your picture of you being afraid. You have a little humor writer in you. Haha! #MLSTL

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    1. Hi, Molly – I’ve quickly become a hot yoga convert. I went this morning and have been relaxed and comfortably warm all day — despite the miserable rain. I hope that you give it a try. I’d love to know what you think of it.

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  34. I think some fears are healthy and some can be paralyzing. If I never stopped to consider the outcome of taking a risk, that would be careless and irresponsible. Consequently, thinking too much leads to missing out. Sometimes that option is fine with me. I would never sit on the edge of Victoria Falls, which is a popular thing to do, but I have jumped out of an airplane. I am not a fan of extreme heat and would not seek out hot yoga, but I will play tennis in 90+degrees with 70% humidity. I live in Florida, so just stepping outside on a summer day is fearful. I don’t like critters, but if I am the only person at home and need to remove the gecko that followed me inside, I will muster up the courage to do it. Point being, we all find our courage when we need to or really want to and sometimes our hesitation is not really rooted in fear, but lack of interest. That Victoria Falls thing, now that is absolute FEAR. No way, not gonna happen!

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    1. Hi, Suzanne – You’ve made some excellent points here. I agree that some fears are healthy and some are paralyzing. We each need to determine which is which for us as individuals. As for sitting on the edge of Victoria Falls, I just looked up a few photos on Google. That I would simply call “tempting fate”. I’m happily joining you in the “NO WAY’ camp!

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  35. Such a great subject to write about, Donna. I can remember, as a teenager, loving Horror movies. Now, I can’t watch any of them because of the fear I know I’m going to face. Watching ‘Paranormal Activity’ on my own one evening is what made me change. That movie really brought fear to me, and I’ve never been able to go back to watch horror movies since.
    I am afraid of snakes and nothing would get me to go near one, let alone hold one.
    It’s strange how what fear is to one, is excitement to another.
    Well done on enjoying the hot yoga. It’s something I’ve never heard of before.

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    1. Hi, Hugh – I agree that it’s interesting to learn what causes fear to one person, creates excitement for another, and boredom to yet another. It was “Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte” that ruined it for me. I’m not sure if my parents just couldn’t get a babysitter, but somehow they decided to take me to the theater with them to see this movie when I was six-years-old. Saying that it scared the heck out of me is a definite understatement. As both my mother and father were kind and thoughtful parents, I think that they simply misjudged that one!

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  36. I have a touch of claustrophobia, acrophobia and tachophobia … which is why I don’t like to get on airplanes. But I do … with a little help from Xanax. Anyway, for most of us, as you’ve demonstrated, it’s good to step out of our comfort zone every once in a while.

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    1. Hi, Tom – I admit that I needed to look up “tachophobia.” That, combined with claustrophobia, would definitely cause airplane travel to be a drag. What did we do before Xanax? 🙂
      Thanks for reading and commenting. I greatly appreciate it!

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  37. Fear can be such a motivator and yet a nemesis to productivity, Donna! I share some of the fears you listed, especially horror movies (saw the original Exorcist at age 13 and that was IT for me). I don’t fear bugs much and have been known to gently pick up a wayward spider with a kleenex and throw it outside. I smash black widows though. How fun you tried hot yoga! I sweat enough in regular yoga so I’m sure there would be a nose wrinkle or two, LOL! It’s amazing how once you get past a fear, that feeling of adulation and accomplishment is there!

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    1. Hi, Terri – Watching horror movies too young worked against me as well!
      I agree that getting past a fear can be an amazing triumph. When I do, I often look back and wonder why I didn’t jump in much earlier. I went back to hot yoga again today — and will likely become a regular in the Wednesday morning class. Now my only fear the time that the class begins — 6:30 a.m.! 🙂

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    1. Hi, Mary Lou – Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I do chair yoga as well (the classes are nearby and convenient). The teacher differentiates. It can be a surprisingly powerful workout.
      Thanks for sharing this on your SM!

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  39. Oh, I have fears. Lots of them. Some of them are the same as yours. I have struggled with unrealistic fears over my health in the last few years. Yes, I’ve had health issues, but I found I was fearing them rather that accepting them as part of my new normal and then addressing those health related issues in healthier ways such as making dietary changes, exercising when I could, and practicing some good deep breathing when I realized I was stressed by some fear.

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    1. Hi,Sally – I like your tip about good deep breathing and believe that it can make a world of difference when we are feeling out of sorts. What I learned from this post is that by sharing my fears, they are now much less scary to me!

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  40. Good for you to challenge yourself to do something you fear! Hot.yoga sounds interesting. I’ve only tried basic yoga and enjoyed it, but I’m not that flexible

    I got back to going to the gym again regularly and I have been trying to challenge myself to try new machines and exercises I avoided in the past. I figure if I try I might find something new that i like.

    The one thing that I fear is snakes! We have rattlesnake sin our area and I hope to never meet one!

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    1. Hi, Pat – Thanks so much for stopping by. The good thing about hot yoga is that it helps you to be more flexible. That’s a big plus for me.
      Your fear of rattlesnakes makes sense to me. I recently did a big hike in an area that is densely populated with rattlers. I couldn’t enjoy the scenery around me because I was too busy watching my feet! 🙂

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  41. Ok, now you’ve got me thinking. I always used to think that I confronted my fears head on, but just lately my fears have changed. These days I panic when driving solo on the highway – the speed around me scares me & I think it’s because I don’t trust myself to react fast enough. It’s a weird one.

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    1. Hi, Jo – I totally understand that fear now — and didn’t even consider when I was twenty. It is funny how things change, including our sense of responsibility, as well as how well we know ourselves. I greatly appreciate you commenting.

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  43. I have included your blog in INTERESTING BLOGS in FRIDAY FOSSICKING at

    https://thatmomentintime-crissouli.blogspot.com/2018/09/friday-fossicking-14th-sept-2018.html
    Thank you, Chris

    The greatest fear is of fear itself… embrace whatever you wish… it’s your life, your script, your choice…whatever you wish to do or not to do, is up to you…So, who cares if you fail? You tried.. and who is there that has the right to judge. Go follow your dreams, leave the nightmares behind.

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    1. Hi, Chris – Thanks so much for stopping by, for the shout-out, and for the wise words. All are greatly appreciated.
      I just came back from visiting your blog and found numerous posts of interest there. I will definitely be back!

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  44. I do not feel a lot of fear of most of the usual things: spiders, snakes, bears, sharks. I am not afraid to walk alone at night in the dark, or to drive through big cities, or to travel alone to an unknown place, or to go really fast (e.g, when skiing). I have developed some nervousness about ladders (because I once had a bad fall from a ladder), and since crashing my mountain bike, I am now more cautious when riding the trails. I feel fear in high places, but only if my footing is precarious (e.g., climbing a cliff, but not at the top of the CN tower).

    However, like the true introvert that I am, I am afraid of public speaking (especially having to give impromptu speeches), and having to schmooze at big social events (especially if I don’t know anyone). I a.m. nervous giving interviews, and I used to be afraid to talk to answering machines. However, I have kept doing all of these things anyways, and it really does get easier over time.

    I think I just stubbornly do not want fears to limit my life.

    Jude

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    1. Hi, Jude – It’s so interesting that one person’s fear – is another person’s comfort zone. Most of the things that you are not afraid of, scare the living daylights out of me. But public speaking, giving impromptu speeches, schmoozing at social events, giving/receiving interviews, talking on answering machines are all fine for me — actually, I quite enjoy them. The one match that we do have is heights where footing is precarious. The CN tower, standing on the edge of tall buildings, even ladders are fine for me…but rocky mountain paths — not so much!

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