False Experiences Appearing Real

There I was...looking straight ahead at my path while standing erect. After only a few seconds and a deep breath -- I was off; running almost at full speed. Then... I did it!

I would always start with a cartwheel because that gave me the momentum to perform a backflip. And, with the momentum from the first backflip, I could successfully land four or five more in succession.

Now don't get me wrong...in the world of gymnastics, a cartwheel and several flips in succession isn't impressive at all! In fact, I couldn't even do a flip without a cartwheel -- unless it was off something maybe a foot or higher. But in my little world...I was doing my thang!

So why am I bringing you up to speed with my amateur acrobatic skills? It sure isn't to impress you or make you jealous. 😁 My desire is to lay the foundation for my topic: Fear.

A few years ago, after reminiscing about my acrobatic skills, I went outside on the yard to attempt that same flip that I was known to execute.

There I was...looking straight ahead at my path while standing erect. After a few minutes and several deep breaths -- I was off. While I didn't run close to my full speed, I did run fast enough to pull it off. Then...I did it.

I went straight into my cartwheel, but noticed that I was much more aware of hurting myself then I had been a little over 20 years prior. And right at the point that I would gain the momentum necessary for the backflip, is the exact point that I would stop. A little disappointed in myself -- but cautious not to break my neck either -- I tried several more times until I acknowledged defeat.

"What happened to me?", is what I kept asking myself. I used to be fearless in pulling off my signature flip. Now I stood fearful. I guess the easiest answer to give is that I got older. And although there is certainly truth to that statement, the physical aspect couldn't represent the whole picture, right? I'm pretty sure self-doubt, lack of confidence, and fear all played there parts.

I was once given an acronym for fear: False Experiences Appearing Real. Hurting myself was certainly a false experience since I had successfully landed my signature flip countless times without incident, so I know I was certainly capable. Despite the fact that I have no experience hurting myself doing this flip, hurting myself that day kept appearing real so I just didn’t do it. The bigger problem is I'm comfortable with that. 😁

I had a recent conversation with somebody about this who argued that it could be some wisdom at play. But at one time in my life I was jumping out of trees and off of roof tops without the fear of getting hurt. I'd explore the woods without the thought of a snake bite, poison ivy, a wild animal hurting me, or maybe even a tree branch falling on me all with no fear! NOW, I'm ever conscience – No, let me rephrase that: I'm scared as hell of heights and nervous to be in the woods!

What do you think? Should I accept and just give into the fear or find a way to overcome it?

I know I'm not the only person in the world with false experiences appearing real. What are yours? I'd like to know what they are and hear your opinions on if we should: overcome them or play it safe?

Much Love,

Soul