Facing my Fears

For me facing my fears has to come one step at a time. Since I'm feeling so much better and I have all of this energy....and since losing this 70 pounds expanded my life from so few options to so many...I'm finding that I want to do everything. I want to get out there and live life to its fullest. This is huge for me, because I have to over come my fears of trying new things. I'm a risk taker....but I am finding that I have to overcome old tapes in my head and remember that I'm not the same person I used to be. I'm not hindered anymore. I can move and fit in things now. I can do stuff. Now it takes me a little while to over come these fears and I find if I take one thing at a time, its manageable and really not all that scary.

For instance....

(These ladies really helped me during a rough time in my life to which I am so grateful!! See Post)

I want to row on a rowing team.....What I really want to do is row for the Senior Olympic Games. I'm old enough now so that's one step closer. So 2 years ago....that was a long time ago, I went to a row clinic and tried it. I really liked it...But while I was there, I realized that this is a really tight community and very competitive and they really did not take to new comers. So that right there is a put off. Couple that with my own insecurities regarding my health and physical strength...oh and the injuries I was battling....well that was a recipe for disaster. So I have not pursued the issue any further....Except to look at the pictures I have all over my walls of rowers at my office and of course drooling as I watched the rowers in Austin. Finally it all just got to me and I decided to do something about it.

So a couple of weeks ago I decided it was time. I also decided that instead of just joining a team as an inexperience novice, I would take some classes. You can take classes where you learn boating safety, rowing techniques and introduction to competition. I thought a little experience might help my chances! You see that was my very first tiny baby step toward my goal. Just making the decision was a biggie! Then last week I Googled the row house info and figured out what I needed to do, how much the classes cost and I found out I need to do a swim test first. So I contacted my gym made my swim test appointment and got it done last night. I had to swim for 10 minutes without stopping and then tread water for 10 minutes without stopping. Piece of cake.....I passed!!


Do you know how many times I tried to get out of getting that swim test? Lots. Why I tried, I'm not sure. I have wanted to row for at least 3 years now. It's something I WANT TO DO, yet, I'm have stopped myself many times from reaching this goal. This time, the ball is rolling and I'm closer to my goal of seeing this happen.

Do I still have fears? You bet, I have a lot more to face before I even get in the boat...Will I have the money to pay for the class, can I find parking, will they like me, will I like them, will I fit in the boat, will I do well, what if I won't really like it and on and on.... These are just a few things I'm thinking about.....but I will address each one...one at a time and I will face these fears!!

Kind of dumb to fear stuff like that huh? I know. I'm working on this!!

How about you, are you facing your fears!!

Keep focused!