I’ve learned that I’m satisfied with facing, not necessarily conquering, my fears.

I’m afraid of technological exposure, that people will misconstrue, misrepresent, or otherwise misuse my words and pictures. So, what do I do? I blog. Still afraid, yes, but exposing myself electronically one post at a time.

I’m afraid of a car spinning out of control on the drag strip. So, what do I do? I strap on my helmet and race my own truck at Atco Raceway. Deathly afraid to the point of stomach sickness, I faced my fear. But, I have to say that I am still very nervous about losing control. It does not stand to reason that you could spin wheels and take off like a rocket time after time without SOMEBODY losing control. I still fear that the out of control person will be me or the guy racing next to me…or somebody I know…or anybody…I just don’t want anyone to get hurt. Nonetheless, I’ve raced by truck. There.

I’m afraid to take chaperone students anywhere off of school property. So, what do I do? I allow myself to be added to this year’s group of SENIOR FLORIDA TRIP chaperones. All that responsibility!!!!! Yikes, and in this crazy, crazy world. As it turns out, the fear itself was worse than the job. The kids were great…still, there are so many what ifs.

I’m afraid of drowning, of water that is so deep and vast that it literally swallows me up, never to be seen again. So, what do I do? I go deep sea fishing in waters as deep as several hundred feet. Actually, it was on that trip that my husband said, “It would only take six feet of water for you to drown.” Good point. Now, that’s not to say that I don’t imagine my deep water demise when I’m out on the high seas, but I’m much more at ease having faced my fear.

More fears some other day.