I've been thinking about fear lately. In fact, it's really crept into many aspects of my life, in very passive, and not so passive, ways.
The other night I was dreaming that I kept coming into contact with this really creepy man in my house. When I would find myself alone with him, I would run away desperately, with the slow, weighted moves of someone running through waste-high water. He would always nearly catch me, just in the instant that I would open the door to the outside. A friend was just on the other side of the door. My fear of the man would vanish, leaving only a subtle anxiety. The three of us would walk outside and I would relate with this man conversationally as if he were a friend or mentor, not some crazed psycho intent on hurting me.
I awoke that morning in a state of wonder, and possibly some mild arrhythmia...
The wonder has pulled at me, exploring the depths of my being, seeking the symbolism of the dreams message. What am I afraid of, that I run away from, when I am alone, but I can tackle relatively peacefully when I am with others? Is it as simple as... paperwork??? Or, perhaps it is more complex and I'm just not quite connecting the dots.
Whether its the paperwork or something else, it has really gotten me thinking about fear, and how it manifests in my life. And, how it may be manifesting in yours.
Are there areas of your life that you just avoid because the fear of failure, or the fear of embarrassment, or the fear of rejection is just too great? Or, perhaps it's just something that you don't like to do (paperwork anyone??)
With obvious precaution, perhaps it's time to step outside of your comfort zone and try something that makes you just a little uncomfortable. I'm starting with my notorious piles of paperwork that I look at and virtually RUN from every day... but for you, maybe it's something more like this:
Go ahead... ask that pretty girl out.
Sign up for the advanced class and give it a try.
Dance. Laugh fully. Say hello to a stranger. Take on a new business venture. Travel to Istanbul.
And, if you happen to be a master paperwork procrastinator... Get your paperwork done...
