What would you do?

The other day I was on Pinterest  (shocking, I know) and I came across this picture..

And I really got to thinking, what would I do?

First off, I had to think, “okay, well, what am I afraid of?”

Hmm. 

I am afraid of flying, especially over water. If given the chance though, I think I would be able to do it.

Skydiving. Nope. Not a chance. 

Anything involving falling is a no go for me. I don’t think even a billion dollars would convince me to do something like that. 

If I wasn’t afraid of falling, what would I do? 

Well, I probably would sign me and Chris up for skydiving. He has wanted to jump out of a perfectly good airplane, at least, since I have known him. Even the thought of him falling terrifies me. I told him he would have to do it and not tell me, record it, and then if he survived we would watch the video. 

Naturally, I am afraid of all the dangerous types of things that, for me, flash the word death in neon lights. I don’t understand the thrill of it. Plus, how can you enjoy the rush if you do indeed die from one of those dangerous things?

I think at the place I am at in my life now, I have a better grip on anxiety. If you would have asked me this question 2 years ago, I probably would have a different answer because I was a lot more anxious then. 

Now, I’m not afraid of the things that make me anxious. I am able to put myself in new situations that would have caused me a panic attack back then. Granted, certain things I have to work a little bit harder on when they arise, but it’s no longer debilitating. 

That saying “The only thing you have to fear is fear itself” is so true for those of us with anxiety and panic disorders. Working through those fears is what makes us better, or unafraid. Fear can be extremely debilitating. I choose to not let it control me anymore. 

All in all, other than those extremely crazy free falling stunts, there really isn’t much I wouldn’t be willing to try. 

What about you? What are you afraid of? What if you weren’t afraid, what would you do?

-Jenn