Better than Expected

With all of the running apps now available, I feared comparing my old trusty app with one of the newer, well-touted GPS-based programs.  Determined to meet my amended annual running goal, my concern was that I'd been overestimating my distance, and would fall impossibly short of the goal, if recalculation was necessary.  I decided to face my fear this morning and tracked my jog using both the old and new programs. What a surprise and relief to learn that my old device was registering less distance than the new app!

Sometimes facing our fears yields far better outcomes than expected.   And, we end the worry of not knowing what we'll find.

Dealing with Fear - the Land Shark Didn't Bite Me

Most of us have something that puts us out of our comfort zone.  Big dogs have always created anxiety for me.  So when I was on my morning run and encountered an exuberant, unleashed Doberman bounding from his/her front door my heart raced.  Though her/his owners were steps behind their escapee, assuring me that he/she was friendly, I wasn't so sure that she/he would be so friendly to an intimidated stranger.

I stopped, raised my hands in a surrender position, and waited for the owners to leash their pet.

As I encountered a walker friend, who was half a block ahead, and had heard the barking, I told him what had happened.  He had assumed that he'd interested a leashed dog as he passed - a reasonable assumption, as this was only the second escapee I'd ever encountered.

I stopped, showed my lack of ability to handle the situation on my own and waited for competent reinforcements.  This action plan has the potential to productively address countless fears lurking in our lives.

FEAR

FEAR - Fantasies Emerging as Real

Often it is only in retrospect that we can determine that our fears were without merit.  We know that things are okay when we realize:

• We weren't ridiculed for our attire or costume
• There were no monsters under the bed
• Missing a couple of answers on a test did not equate to failing
• There were people to visit with at the event
• Our idea was accepted for review or implementation
• We weren't the only ones who had an early curfew
• Other parents also called to check on the party logistics
• We were far more disappointed in our results than our parents indicated that they were
• The customer didn't leave though we had a problem
• The clean bone break healed perfectly
• Everyone showed up and had a fabulous time
• The meal was spectacular
• We won
• The doctor said, "all is okay!"
• The job is yours
• The baby is healthy
• You've been selected for ...
• Others felt/reacted the same way
• The offer/deadline has been extended
• ... is safe
• You're covered
• You were right
• Things couldn't have been better
• The outlook is improving