Wednesday, March 6, 2013

when in fear, jump in head first


I have been brave and I have been fearful. But sometimes, I feel fear that is almost paralyzing.


I have always found that when I am afraid the best action is to just jump in, head first. The first time I left home, I packed my things and moved to a foreign country. I left all I knew: my college, my friends, my comfort... three days before my trip, I was crying so hard I couldn't breath. I will never forget my dad's words to me when I went to him crying: if it doesn't work out you can always come back home, but if you do not do this, you will always wonder "what if."


I am never afraid to say I am afraid. I am never embarrassed of my insecurities and my self doubts. I also am not embarrassed to decide not to do something because it will be a hazard to my health (call me coward college friends, I still rather not do drugs and hop in car), but if it is something I really want, I prefer to fail than to know my fear has gotten the best of me.

36 comments:

The Dancing Crone said...

Even your lovely little green bird with the marvelous beak looks courageous, Ana. Yes I agree it's best to jump right in if something frightens you. I do find however that the older I get the more cautious I become!

ArtSings1946 said...

Love this post and your art is gorgeous, as usual. I'm very fond of wild birds ... in fact, for me, I never would like to see a caged bird ... how can you do that to a creature that can fly!

Every day I try to let go of the fear and anxiety. I keep on doing those positive affirmations to help subside the suffering ... it really helps.

Love and Happiness,
Jan

BIKBIK AND RORO said...

Yup, do it afraid! Wonderful, uplifting post, as always :)

Riot Kitty said...

Agreed. It's like Robert Frost said, "The best way out is always through." I have social anxiety, so I can ride roller coasters, but being at a party with 10 people I don't know is terrifying.

Hwee said...

What a great dad you have! Real courage comes from the ability to face fear and still go ahead with what it is that you want to do. Don't be embarassed about feeling fear or insecurity at one point or another. They are very normal human emotions. As long as you don't let them stop you from doing what you want to do, they are perfectly ok to have around. :-)

Sulky Kitten said...

Beautiful little bird. Everybody feels fear, whether they admit to it or not. I agree that it's better to face the fear and potentially fail at something, than to just bury your head and let the fear win.

Arkansas Patti said...

Well done. Bravery is not just willy nilly doing "brave" things. It is being afraid and doing them anyway. That makes you very brave in my book.

Kalei's Best Friend said...

Ditto on that!. BTW that hummingbird kinda reflects what u have said here... Those gorgeous creatures do just dive in- dive in right into the middle of that flower to suck up that nectar! :-)

Plowing Through Life (Martha) said...

Wonderful words of wisdom to live by! Your dad gave you good advice. It is exactly what I tell my girls about exploring the world and living their lives to the fullest. You can always come home, but you'll never be able to go back to remove the 'what if' that you're left with if you don't try. So glad that you had that support from your father!

alteredstatesstudio said...

i really like your dad's words on encouragement....as kids, i think it is important to let them know you are there....it helps mold kids and can leave lasting impressions. :) i like your post!

Sherri B. said...

Fear is powerful...it can be so difficult to confront it. Your Dad gave you wonderful advice! I have let fear control me too many times in my life. Lovely paintings!

Sherri B. said...

Fear is powerful...it can be so difficult to confront it. Your Dad gave you wonderful advice! I have let fear control me too many times in my life. Lovely paintings!

Debra She Who Seeks said...

So true and so wise!

Anonymous said...

Sometimes, things happen to me whether I want them to or not. Then I find that I have to swim or sink. That's how I happened to travel around the world. I went to Thailand to get married, was jilted by my boyfriend, and decided to stay there, work as a teacher, and then fly on to Europe after 10 months.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

I think jumping head-first is the only way to face fear :)

Shaharoh said...

Beautiful post. I needed to read these words today for reasons I cannot divulge at this time. Let's just say, I am going thru a lot right --my family is and I've been fighting a lot lately with fearing who I think I should be and who it is I am. All my love, Introvert! xoxo

Red Shoes said...

"...you will always wonder "what if."

All in all, I'd say your Dad was a wise man when he gave this advice. I gave a commencement address at the university where I currently work, and in a nut shell, that was my advice.

Take chances... they don't have to be dangerous ones... but the fact is, that we do not get through Life without some form of failure...

*huggles*

~shoes~

Dra. Cristiane Grande Jimenez Marino said...

Oi Ana,

Lindo post!
Coragem significa agir com o coração. E isso inclui reconhecer todos os sentimentos, inclusive o medo, e continuar apesar dele.
É melhor nos arrependermos por termos tentado algo do que por nunca termos nos permitido uma chance...
Bjs

Beth said...

Your Dad was right, Ana---you were fortunate to have such wise counsel. I do feel paralyzed by fear quite often. And even though I'm not quite as bold as you were, I do find that even taking one step forward (no matter how small) helps me out of my paralysis and sometimes gives me some badly-needed confidence.

Kyra Wilson said...

My fears and insecurities anger me, more than make me want to quit. It makes me want to confront them. I just wish some of them weren't so... BIG to overcome (meaning it's not a single moment to be faced, but years and years!) But then, introverted by nature as I am, I'm still not afraid of confrontation. :)

Šolanje na domu-Waldorf said...

That was a brave thing to do. I can't imagine what would scare you after that. :) Birdie looks awesome!

Tammie Lee said...

ah, i love what your father told you!

i also like the way you listen to your fears, desires and health.

such a sweet hummer!

Magic Love Crow said...

Excellent post! Very wise words! Love your bird ;o)

tinajo said...

Good post - there´s nothing shameful to feel fear now and then, it´s a sign of a healthy mind!

Ariel said...

very inspiring Ana. Trying and losing is better than never to have tried. This is one mantra that I always tell my son and to myself.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

What a sweet little hummer! I am very proud of you...you are making good choices all along the way!

Jill said...

thank you for writing this. Lovely birds.

Kim Dellow said...

Just wonderful! Kim

Ileana said...

It's never a failure when you try to do something you want/need to do. There is so much courage in jumping in, I get you. Great post!

kala said...

This post remembers me about the days when i left home moved to foreign country.Loved the art too

foxysue said...

Fear, insecurity and self-doubt can plague all of us at times, good to share what works for you, these words can have a knock-on effect for many. x

Out of Sight L said...

That's what I did all my life, jumped into it, the more fearful the higher I jumped until I hit the wall at 42 and died to everything I was. If you do what you fear and lessen that fear, you will never lose, but if you do what you fear and still fear, you will break. I think you'll win you won't break and you are a wonderful artist. :)

Anonymous said...

excellent post and one that resonates with me and my endless fear and complete terror when going to the dentist.
I love what your dad said - that is such a wonderful sentiment to set you on your path....smart, intuitive man.
beautiful artwork too!
peace

CraveCute said...

I'm by nature a big scaredy cat, but I agree it is best to push yourself. It usually works out for the best.

Anonymous said...

Lovely painting Ana!
I love your Dad's comforting and wise words. I could have used more of that growing up. I have a tendency to completely panic...then quit : )
XXO
Lynn

Anonymous said...

LOVE your painting.
Your Dad's words were sweet and very wise : )
XXO
Lynn