Go toward the fear.
I grew up in a very competitive and male-dominated family, the oldest of three brothers. My dad appreciated winning and winners. My brothers and I played sports, but my heart was never in it.
Which is not to say that I wasn’t competitive in other ways. My dad often lamented that I just didn’t have the killer instinct. The truth was that he was right. Winning in sports was never that important to me.
I didn’t avoid conflict though, especially where authority was concerned. I wasn’t afraid to stand up, speak truth to power, or to challenge the order of things. I challenged my teachers, questioned everything, and even walked out of school once when I felt I was treated unfairly. My dad was also a rebel at heart, and he respected my rebelliousness, even (or maybe especially) when I stood up to him. From the time I first made a finger painting of my pet turtle, I’ve known I wanted to be an artist. Without such a stubborn and anti-authoritarian nature, I’m not sure I would have stuck to that artist path. But I have.
Run from the fear. Know thy self... If you feel the flight or flight theory is accurate -run first ask questions why later. You can always go back to see if your instincts were correct.
You should give urban advice.
Without fear, there is no need for courage! Lead With Courage!! Thanks, Dave
Lovely reflective story Dave, and there is even a turtle in there! 😎
And we are all better because of it. Great share on many levels.