Fear Not

It is healthy to have some amount of fear in life. I think it’s beneficial to have some fear of the consequences for you actions. It’s important to listen to your gut when you sense something is not right. Knowing who you can trust and who you can’t is critical in navigating through life. While being observant, cautious and apprehensive at times can be positive, you have to balance your elements of fear in life.

I want Audrey to grow up feeling powerful, confident, and secure. Throughout my childhood and into my adult life I suffered from major anxiety and also had an intense fear of elevators, and I don’t want that for my daughter. I watched my mother endure panic attacks, took them on myself, and it burdened me for many years.

I have worked through much of my fear, however I still have a hard time flying. I don’t think my phobia of flying is related to the other anxieties previously in my life, but it is limiting nonetheless. Instead of looking forward to a destination I often find myself glued to the seat of airplane, with my hear thumping out of chest and my palms sweating profusely. It’s not the most fun way to travel.

Audrey should know limits, what is acceptable behavior and what is not, she should have a curfew as a teenager, and obey the law. But I am going to do everything in my power so that Audrey is not limited by fears and has a healthy sense of herself and the world. I want her to ride the tallest elevators, take the long flight to Hawaii, and feel secure in her life and relationships; and who knows, I may be with her on some Aloha Airlines having the time of my life.