Happy Halloween!
This morning I opened The Artist’s Way Every Day, and once again gained inspiration from author Julia Cameron as she wrote about fear.
She wrote, “If you’ll pardon the levity, most of us are afraid of fear. We think it’s a bad thing. We know it’s a scary thing. We’re afraid of becoming afraid, scared of becoming scared.”
“Because so many of our experiences with fear have been negative, we fail to see fear as positive or useful. It is both. Let me repeat: Fear is positive and useful. . . . Fear tells us “Check this out.”
Are you afraid of writing? I’ll be honest with you here. As a copywriter, sometimes I am afraid of writing. I liken it to the stage fright actors/actresses feel before they go on stage. You know that “butterflies in your stomach” kind of feeling?
I fear that I won’t be inspired or find the “right words” to convey a message. When that happens, I give myself permission to take a break, breathe, go for a walk or I may even write in my journal (i.e. acknowledging the fear). I also remind myself that I can write a first draft, walk away from it and return later to make changes or rewrite it.
What about you? What are you afraid of?
Can you look at your fear and see something positive or useful in it? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below. I’d love to hear from you.
And, have a safe and happy Halloween.
