My granddaughter, is turning three, and she is afraid of A LOT of things…she dislikes, dark rooms, fireworks, and old people, especially Santa Claus. She looks up at me, her brow sky high, and in a very unpersuasive tone, says, “It’s not scarewee”, with a humongous question mark at the end of her statement.
As she well knows, there is much to be afraid of, and the older we get, the scareweer life becomes!
On my last trip to the beach, (girl trip, of course) we had the chance to go kayaking on the intracoastal waterway with manatees and dolphins, and one of my friends said this would absolutely scare her to death. She wanted no part of this adventure! We understood her fear, so we left her alone on the beach, with her magazine’s and cold beer ( she was happy), and we set off to explore the wild life through the lagoons and canals of the waterway. It was something new, and I didn’t want to miss the chance to see it, scary or not… because being afraid of trying new things, honestly, frightens me more.
Gary and his “hiking buddies” have been camping, hiking, and fishing deep into the wilderness, for some 28 years. This year he decided to “step out on a limb” and camp for two weeks. No contact with anyone except his four fellow hikers… only tents, sleeping bags, fishing poles and most importantly…flasks. I’m thinking along the lines of my girlfriend at the beach… Thanks, but oh hell no, to this camping extravaganza… it is about the “no flushing” thing for 14 days, than lack of baths, and cell service ( getting lost and bears)! Point being… you don’t necessarily have to be a wilderness enthusiast to push yourself out of your comfort zone…it’s the push, not the wilderness, that will make you brave…and Gary is brave!
I’m not afraid of the boogie man…I like having the house to myself for a couple of weeks. I actually enjoy going to the movies by myself when I’m home alone, and a bottle of wine comes in handy to keep me company! What I am the most afraid of now, but especially down the road, is being bored! I read, if you are “bored” it means “you” are boring! True and scary! I don’t want to be bored or boring, which is why I do my very best to have something to look forward to at all times!
Kudos…to Gary (and his one pair of camping underwear), and to everyone else who’s trying their best not to be afraid of adventures (new and old). I want to be one that will at least peak into the unknown. The one that will keep pushing the envelope, take a dare, as long as I can, and if things start to get little dark, shine a new light on it!
Children are extremely brave….look at the new fears they face every day, and profoundly smart…old people are scary as hell… Tell me about it AK!
T ur such a philosopher! Teehee
I’m a thinker and a drinker!
Love love love your writing. You could take this material and be a stand up comedienne. Tina Fey ain’t got nothin on you.
Thanks!
It’s easy to write…my friends give me all the material I need!