Do You Let Fear Hold You Back?

Do You Let Fear Hold You Back? I know I do. This came into my mind recently when watching a man walk barefoot through some swamps in Florida. I would simply never be able to bring myself to do that. What one man sees as simply walking in muddy water, I see as a deadly fear. Is my fear irrational? Maybe.

I have also been offered a great opportunity to research and further design an idea of mine while having my costs funded and receiving pay on top of that, but I am too afraid of failure to immediately jump forward and claim the job.

I'm afraid of swimming in the ocean at night. The thought of it terrifies me. So what about you guys and gals? What fears in this life hold you back from doing things you otherwise would?

a reply to: Imhotepic

This came into my mind recently when watching a man walk barefoot through some swamps in Florida. I would simply never be able to bring myself to do that. What one man sees as simply walking in muddy water, I see as a deadly fear

You must have been in a place called 'Judyville'.
I lived in a place just like that. They cut cypress in the swamps, barefoot.

On topic, don't be scared of anything. Face it head on.
Be smart though and do it.

originally posted by: Imhotepic
Do You Let Fear Hold You Back? I know I do. This came into my mind recently when watching a man walk barefoot through some swamps in Florida. I would simply never be able to bring myself to do that. What one man sees as simply walking in muddy water, I see as a deadly fear. Is my fear irrational? Maybe.

I have also been offered a great opportunity to research and further design an idea of mine while having my costs funded and receiving pay on top of that, but I am too afraid of failure to immediately jump forward and claim the job.

I'm afraid of swimming in the ocean at night. The thought of it terrifies me. So what about you guys and gals? What fears in this life hold you back from doing things you otherwise would?

So try and it doesn'twork out...you go no further with your idea. or you rethink it and it becomes better.

So you refuse...you go no further with your idea...and you never know what could have been.

Yes, fear keeps me from many thing and I have driven through fear many times.

For your sake, take the chance. you have no more to lose than if you don't.

Perhaps it is your ego. Only you know.

Best wishes to you none the less

a reply to: Imhotepic

Swimming in the ocean at night was one of the best experiences I ever had. Jumped off a party boat couple miles offshore. Hella liberating.

a reply to: Imhotepic

Swamps? Guy is mad! I think of two words; Snapping Turtles... Yes, fear does hold me back.

a reply to: Imhotepic

I've had fear of success stop me in competative type of areas. If I think I shall lose, there will be no problem, I will continue to enjoy good relations with everyone...but if I were to win, then all kinds of trouble come in! You get friends who feel hurt, who feel jealous, envious, angry...ones who feel bad about themselves. Some that will get self abusive, and some that will exteriorize it and seek to hurt others.

Of course not all competative arenas end up with such strong reactions, but in areas such as work positions, romance, sports, even friendships (yes, I've seen women get that intense about who spends time with their girlfriend!).

Sure, people tell me - why worry about the nasty ones? Maybe they need to be taken down a notch or two?
My answer is that for every five nasty ones, there is one gentle one, who needs some encouragement, some "building up" , and who suffer greatly, falling even more downward, with each loss! My desire to make the nasty ones suffer is not greater than the desire to help the gentle ones rise!

So- I tend to stay out of those type of situations. That is a problem in this modern capitalistic competative individualist culture and economic system.

Besides that, I have always taken a perverse pleasure in challenging my other fears (as long as they don't effect anyone else). Was afraid of galloping on a horse and became absolutely passionate about horsemanship and riding. A lot of personal fears I have jumped right in the middle of, doing what the french call "violence to oneself" . The reason is because I have found the bigger the fear, the more the joy you experience when you break it. It is almost like fear is a coffer in which one saves up joy and excitement, and once you release it, it is amazing!

But the fear of competition thing, that is one that I cannot seem to justify overcoming. Any joy that might come at the price of hurting another is meaningless.

a reply to: Imhotepic

I get uncomfortable working on 3+ story high scaffolding...and in places where there could be bears lol...although I'll happily jump off higher cliffs into the sea and swim with wild seals...perspective I guess.

nm

a reply to: Imhotepic

Some fear is fun, like jumping off the cliffs or driving a racing car.

It's often the unknown we fear. You can't see what's around your feet in the swamp, that's scary for me.

Overcoming fear is a wonderful feeling. Grinning and bearing it (like I do on a plane) is not overcoming fear though, you don't come out feeling wonderful, just relieved.

a reply to: Imhotepic

I spent hours researching Paul Manafort (Trump campaign manager) with the intent of putting up a thread. He scared me so much I decided against it. I know that's lame, but I felt paranoid about it the more I learned about him.

I would make a terrible journalist.

I saw JAWS when I was wayyyy to young and have been scared of swimming in the ocean since then. Thanks a lot Hollywood!!!!!

Everybody has fears and sometimes they help us stay alive, and other times they make us miss out on some of the joys and victories of life.

a reply to: Imhotepic

the job and night swimming are 2 different things.

Being afraid of dying, or having your foot bitten off by a gator is natural, normal, and healthy. being afraid of failing at a job opportunity is simply your ego trying to protect itself, and less healthy for you.

a reply to: AboveBoard

I often read your posts.

I read your first paragraph with great interest. Then I read:

I would make a terrible journalist.

I had to laugh. You already are one. Smile, knowing and owning this.

Fishy

I do. My early years and twenties were so full of poor decisions and bad situations from both me and my parents that I am on a constant quest for balance, safety and normalcy. So, practical to a debilitating degree.

I am sure I have fears of some things in which I would never attempt. I believe we all do - anybody who says otherwise is bluffing. For instance bungee jumping. I would skydive before i ever did that. At least if sky diving goes wrong you can go out in style not with a tug and a snapped cord.

That being said I do not let fears hold me back. I have swam in the ocean after dark and during sunset. Amazing really. I would also go barefoot in a swamp if i felt like it or was challenged (dont think either would happen).

Life is all about taking chances and experiencing. Adrenaline is a wonderful thing to feel. I have ceased breathing heart stopped and almost died another two times already.

I have moved to an unfamiliar locale more than once, fled from American police, cliff dove, tackled new and intense jobs, explored abandoned mines, taken on fights, you name it.

I honestly think having brushes with near death has cut down on my fears quite a bit.

You should always take on and face opportunity or challenges even if risky IMO. Life is about experience. I still have fears I would not confront. Mainly emotional and the like.

Again we all have fears but you will be awarded if you push through and confront fears. Tons of people are more brave than I. Currently I am at the point of 'you couldnt cut me down last time you wont do it this time!'

I am sure this will wane with age. I focus on good what ifs not bad what ifs. It is easier really. Some people have serious anxiety and it is truly impossible for them which is awful.