Most Scared Of

glenmckenzie(justabitfurther)

January 31

Bloganuary writing prompt

What's the thing you're most scared to do? What would it take to get you to do it?

Lucky for all of us, the prompt for today asks, "the thing...." and not "what things." The "what things" list for most of us might be pretty extensive. I know it would for yours truly.

Moving away from the obvious items like sky diving, dealing with massive insects, or getting up to and close to a window high up say on the 98th floor of a building, the thing I'm most scared to do or to move towards is the "fear of the unknown."

I tend to be a fairly ordered person. I like routine for the most part and do struggle at times with being spontaneous in life.

Although, a couple of weeks ago while in Halifax, after having dinner out with Lynn and listening to a trio at an Irish pub for a while, I did say at midnight after we had settled in to head off to bed, that we should get dressed and head out to "pizza corner" down from our hotel and get a couple of slices of pizza and come back to the room. Lynn thought that was pretty spontaneous for me! I even managed to stay up till 1:00am. Which doesn't happen very frequently.

But, I do fear the unknown. And perhaps change gets thrown into the mix as well. Repeatedly, I see the unknown as being negative and change as being uncomfortable and difficult which many times it can be. My mind tends to default to the negative when dealing with the unknown and change.

Intellectually, my mind would say, "Well, that might be true, but all this unknown and change could also be incredibly positive - couldn't it?"

When it comes right down to it, I fear what my potential might be; what the future might hold for me, if I was to let go. Like allowing a fear of success.

If I were to enthusiastically embrace change and in many ways throw caution to the wind; assume risks, and regard the unknown as something that results in growth and not a fearful proposition. To consider the unknown and change as a vast promising opportunity to grow.......that's something I would cherish. And it is a process that many of us would desire as well.

Now when I get into situations where there is a certain unknown element, I work at seeing what might be the worst that could happen. Realistically, asking myself "What is the most destructive thing that could happen?" Usually, the result of that exercise is ....well - not much might happen that is negative. In fact, a positive or three might be the result.

In addition, I do work very hard at expanding the boundaries of my comfort zone. Trying new things and experiences. Reading books I wouldn't traditionally read. I find that for most of us(or at least the ones I know), it is far too effortless and secure to operate within the boundaries of our defined comfort zones.

And that's the problem. It's too safe. It's familiar; it's sheltered; it's comfortable.

Why venture out into something unknown.? Into something that doesn't feel safe; that isn't familiar; that is uncomfortable?

But to change and grow; we move into the unknown; we will have to embrace - not feeling safe; not having the familiar; and being uncomfortable.

It's the thing I fear and am scared to achieve; it is also the thing I most desire to do.

--as always with love--

--- get outdoors; find inspiration; discover yourself ---