As humans, we are a mass of emotions; for the most part, feelings rule our lives. Humans have the blessing of sight, hearing, touch, taste, and more, but feelings are a “within” phenomenon. We may think we can hide what we feel and are able to present an impassive front. This may be true with some, but not with those that are perceptive and close to us. As the saying goes, “we can run, but we cannot hide.”
“Fear” is my title, so I’ll stick with this emotion and share my experiences with you as usual. As a child, maybe 9 or 10, I know that when in a threatening situation, I went at it instead of running from it. As best I remember, I never ran from anything or anyone. I recall my newspaper corner, where I made a couple of bucks selling the paper. Now and then, someone wanted my corner, so fights were not infrequent. I never lost my corner.
We had a bully on the elementary school playground. He frightened and bullied everyone but me. One day he picked on a girl in my class, and I challenged him to bully me, and he came right at me, knocking me to the ground. I got up and walloped him so hard that he began to bleed. Then, I hit him again, and he fell to the ground and stayed there. I was sent to the principal’s office, where he told me not to fight, yet he congratulated me for beating the bully. He asked, “what did you hit him with?” and demanded I never tell anyone of our talk. I have and just did again. Oh well!
The story of the Typhoon has been told. If I was going to drown, I needed to see it happen. I learned a lot about myself. I know I felt fear but also awe and challenge. Challenge turns me on, not off. I know fear, but I overcome it when I feel it and use it to be my best. Who knows?
Sy