Fear
It’s Friday, y’all.
This has become a ritual for me to sit down at the computer every Friday and just focus on the writing prompt to see where my thoughts take me. However, there wasn’t a prompt word given by Lisa-Jo today for our usual Five Minute Fridays. So … I sat here staring at the screen contemplating what to write on. Seeing the disappointment on my face, my daughter strolled through the living room and threw out the prompt word “Fear” …
And so we’ll have our very own Five Minute Friday right here, right now. I’d love it if you’d join in with your comments on this prompt word, if you feel so inclined.
Let’s begin.
Ready?
Set?
GO!
There is a famous movie that I’m pretty sure you’ll all remember when I share this quote with you. But, before I do … as you read it, think of how you can relate to what is being said. let the words speak to your heart. Let it echo through your thoughts.
Me? I’m scared of everything. I’m scared of what I saw, I’m scared of what I did, of who I am, and most of all I’m scared of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole life the way I feel when I’m with you.
This … THIS … is a quote from Baby in the movie Dirty Dancing after she has discovered the absolute love of her life.
Can you relate to how she was scared of everything? Have you ever been afraid of the next step, the next thing you’ll be forced to face in this life?
What about what you saw? Have you ever seen something – an image – an actual event taking place – or maybe a movie of that event playing in your mind although you never saw it actually happen, yet the events of that day haunt you and play over repeatedly in your thoughts and mind when you try to sleep at night? I have experienced this.
What about the fear of what you’ve done? We all have regrets in life, but the past is the past. It can’t be un-done. It can only be forgiven.
Have you ever been afraid of who you are? Truly? Honestly? If you look yourself in the mirror, have there been times you’ve just been afraid of who you were? We all have moments when angers grips us, but does it control you? Does it make you rage out of control? Do you fear who you become in those moments?
And the biggest question of all … have you ever felt like Baby? Fearing that you’ll go the rest of your whole life without feeling the way you feel when you’re with that special person in your life? If you feel loved, sheltered, protected, treasured, cherished, and alive … do you fear never feeling any of those things again?
Do you?
I do.
STOP!
May 16, 2014 @ 3:46 pm
My fear is airplanes. I fear that it is going to crash and hate flying in them.
May 17, 2014 @ 11:55 am
Tara, thank you for sharing your fear! I always find myself gripping the arm rest upon take off and when the plane is landing. I close my eyes and pray … hard! Thank you for adding your thoughts here! I always love when you do!
May 16, 2014 @ 10:22 pm
Fear consumed me for most of my life. I lived, walked, strolled through life in a near-constant state of fear because I felt I had no control over my own life. Things happened to me instead of me deciding that or this was what I wanted. It wasn’t until I decided to stop living in the fear that my life really took off – even in disability. Today I can live in fear or I can choose to live in trust and hope and belief and love. That’s what I face today – how do I incorporate trust, hope, belief and love into my everyday life and NOT live in the fear of the unknown. For me it’s each day as it comes; I make plans in my calendar but for the most part, I live in openness to what could happen (good) and not what might happen (bad).
Fear is stifling. Don’t stifle yourself – that’s what I tell myself today. Live in faith and the fear cannot control you any longer.
BTW, “Dirty Dancing” is and always will be one of my FAVORITE movies!! Good quote!
thj
May 17, 2014 @ 11:54 am
Tamela, thank you for writing and sharing your heart on the prompt word Fear. I know your struggles. I applaud you for how far you’ve come. I love you, my dear friend!
May 17, 2014 @ 12:41 pm
Fear can be paralyzing, fear of the dark fear of things that go bump in the night. Losing the one you love. Many times our fear drives us to bring about what we fear most. A self fulfilling prophecy. I mention that because of the loses in life that have occurred to me. I think my biggest fear is losing those i love most. But i am referring to losing them through some fault of mine. I know that they will eventually have to be called home. Doesn’t lessen the fear i have of it happening when i am least prepared for it. That’s one reason i feel so strongly about living for today. Making today the most you can make it.
May 17, 2014 @ 11:41 pm
Right now I have a friend that is facing this very thing. It’s been weighing heavily on my heart this entire week. She’s well past retirement age, and she has finally found happiness again in the arms of a gentleman a little older than she. This week, he was in ICU. Yesterday, Hospice was called in. She is devastated; heartbroken. This is my greatest fear, although I wouldn’t dare mention it as it’s the unspeakable … I don’t want to ever think of losing the ones I love. Ever. And even if you prepare … there’s no way you can possibly prepare yourself enough to accept it without it taking a piece of you with them. Thank you for sharing your beautiful heart and soul.
May 17, 2014 @ 4:49 pm
I have what you may consider two major opposing fears. The first and lesser of the two is being alone; especially as I grow older. I realize I won’t have someone to share in the wonderful things that life has to offer or to realize the love of another. So you may just say go out and find someone, right? My strongest fear is to have my heart broken again. I have opened myself up several times and had my heart shredded. Having that happen affects me in ways I don’t ever want to experience again. I came from a family environment where love and affective were almost non-existent. So the words “I love you” has a strong meaning for me. To be told that I am loved and to then be told that it is not true for whatever reason hurts way too much for me. So I will face the lesser fear of being alone and keeping my feelings in check than to ever let myself “love” anyone again.
May 17, 2014 @ 11:45 pm
I have been where you are right this minute. I have felt that fear and that pain you speak of. When our hearts have been broken, it is hard to put ourselves back out there … to ever try to love again. We build up those walls to keep people out, yet we’re the ones in chains for refusing to allow any one to get that close again … to love us, to hurt us, to shatter our hearts. Love is worth the risk. It leaves you incredibly vulnerable, and it’s a frightening feeling. But it is worth it. Trust me. Love is a beautiful thing when your heart finds the one you’ve been longing for and the one that will hold your heart gently in the palm of their hands sheltering and protecting it all the days of their lives.