Fear Leads to the Dark Side

Actually, this post has nothing to do with Star Wars but since I just watched all 7 movies in the last week, the title is very appropriate. I know that all of you that love this saga just got very excited, so sorry to disappoint. However, I hope the content of this blog does stir the Luke Skywalker in you and you too will defeat your empires.

Although, this title and saying seems very intense I believe it contains a good amount of truth. I am writing this 40,000 feet above the ground and I have to admit I’m not having the best time. See, I have this little fear of flying. Now, you are thinking , Josh you love to travel. I absolutely do! I love seeing other lands, cultures, beautiful landmarks and scenery. I love waking up in a new place, not knowing the adventure that awaits me and meeting new people, exploring lives that are different than mine. I love community but I also am exhilarated living out of a suitcase. There is only one little blip on this hobby….I don’t enjoy the mode of transportation to get me there. Unfortunately, most of the places that I travel would take forever to reach by bus, train, boat and automobile. So, you are correct in thinking that only leaves me planes.

I have not always been fearful of flying. I used to LOVE it! My family traveled a lot growing up because my extended family always lived in other places. You would see smiles, laughter and joy as I boarded a plane. That all changed that one day flying to Houston, TX. I remember it like it was yesterday, sitting on the very last row in the middle seat sitting by Mom. We were starting the initial descent and all of a sudden out of nowhere the plane starting to shake and then just dropped. I really thought for a split second that my young life was over as people fell out of seats and I heard cries and shrieks of fear. It was like something out of some horror movie. Now in reality, we just hit a huge heat pocket which made us drop altitude but in my heart and mind we were falling out of sky to my impending doom. Dramatic, right?

Now fast forward 18 years to this flight and I still fear that drop again. It’s not the take off, it’s not the landing, it’s the turbulence. Every time, that big metal tube in the sky starts to shake my mind wanders back to that big drop. Now you can tell me all day that turbulence is completely normal and that I am much safer than speeding down a highway in a car. Yes, I know all of that is truth but my fear grips reality and convinces me otherwise. Fear steals my joy of flying, enjoying the beauty outside my window and marvel at the Invention that I am even experiencing.

It does not stop me though.

Fear brings out only the dark in a situation and not the light. It makes you focus on the bad and not the great. Fears lead to worry which lead to stress and almost every time it is completely unwarranted. If you or I allow fear to cloud our journey, we won’t truly engage in this thrilling adventure called life. There is healthy fear that causes us to not text and drive, walk into a burning house or gamble all my money on black. I’m not talking about healthy fear, I’m talking about the fear that you simply can’t control, change or affect. I have to trust Southwest, the plane and the pilot that they will get me to my destination safely. No fear will change that outcome no matter how worked up I get.

In this new year, I’m going to do my very best to use the light saber of trust to thwart my fears. I am going to do my best to fully enjoy each day and face whatever holds me back. What fear grips you? You might love to fly and and think that this is simply silly but what fear haunts you and keeps you from seeing the light?

I encourage you today to call those fears out by name, claim them and move towards conquering them. I am not telling you to bungee jump, or anything crazy but I am telling you to face those things that you can’t change and that are hindering you from seeing the fullness of what you want to do and be.

By the way, the flight was gorgeous, smooth and no turbulence because I am sure you were wondering. However, even if there was I’m on to the next flight safely, facing my fears head on.

May the force, not fear be with YOU.

Much Love,

JV