Comments on: What Would You Do If You Had Freedom From Fear?

By: shifrachester@gmail.com

shifrachester@gmail.com — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 20:57:08 +0000

I know what you mean, Joy. The first time I heard Katharine Hepburn say that about her parents, I was astonished. Actually I still am! Here's to you and I getting rid of all of our fears!

By: Joy

Joy — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 14:00:15 +0000

This is such an important and soul-shaking question you posed, Cathy. What would I do if I were free of fear? I yearn for such a state and have no idea how to exactly reach it. But it's sure worth striving for! I think I would travel around the world, mostly Asia and Europe. I would visit long 'lost' friends...friends who are real friends but who I haven't seen in a decade or so. I would eat. Yes, I would eat and surrender to all the calories and fats and sugars and just enjoy EVERY. SINGLE. BITE. Ahhh, the thought alone is so liberating! THANKS for this, Cathy!

By: Angela Weight

Angela Weight — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 20:47:23 +0000

I love the headline you wrote about yourself. It's fun and empowering just thinking about what you'd do with no fear. And often, giving yourself permission to entertain thoughts like those are the seeds to more courageous living.

By: Carpool Goddess

Carpool Goddess — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 13:38:49 +0000

Oh, to truly live without fear. What a gift! I was raised to by two nervous nellies, so is it any wonder how I am?!

By: Claudia Schmidt

Claudia Schmidt — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 23:42:55 +0000

What a great notion. Hmmm.....let's see, I'm with you on the apt in NYC and pied a terre in Paris. Then, skydiving would also be on my list as well as learning how to ski, climbing Mount Kiliminjaro and going for my black belt.

By: kim tackett

kim tackett — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 20:02:35 +0000

Right now my biggest fear is caring for my aging parents. I am hoping I will have the strength and grace to help them as they deserve. We're in a critical time right now, and it's all I think about. I don't know what's around the corner, and I am fearful that I won't be up to the task (which is actually an honor, but it's a big job).

By: Lois Alter Mark

Lois Alter Mark — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 19:28:13 +0000

I can't wait to watch you skydiving at age 99. I will be the one on the ground taking photos for my elderly blog, Old Age at the Oasis. And, honestly, I don't think fear is what's holding you -- or any of us -- back from some of those things. I think some of it is more practical and involves money. Lots of it. If we were rich, I don't think any of us would hesitate about buying cottages together in the Berkshires and creating a writer's colony!

By: Elin Stebbins Waldal

Elin Stebbins Waldal — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 16:37:55 +0000

One of my favorite subjects these days is this very thing. So much so I wrote a post called, Dear Fear, I am Breaking Up With You. haha. My kids are still waiting for me to jump into our pool from our 2nd floor deck. And so am I!
What I love about your list is there are realistic things for you to tackle. Write that book Cathy! You have a great story!
It is fun to dream, there are a few on there I could imagine too, like that secluded little cabin. 🙂

By: jamie@southmainmuse

jamie@southmainmuse — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 15:12:04 +0000

I'm with you on so many of these. For me I've decided getting rid of fear isn't going to happen. We just have to press through it. And the more we do it, the easier it gets. My favorite quote attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt, "Do one thing every day that scares you." I try to live by that-- when I remember. :)

By: Transitioning Mom

Transitioning Mom — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 14:05:35 +0000

I'd copy much of your list (perhaps leaving off the guitar or saxophone) while adding:

>Create that line of clothing I dreamed about when I was a girl
>Write the children's books that have been bouncing around in my head for 20 years
>Launch my coaching business
>take a safari or visit Thailand--anywhere I can be up close with an elephant, but not burden it with my presence.

I love this post, Cathy. It has inspired me to think about my list but, more importantly, about what's holding me back and why.

By: shifrachester@gmail.com

shifrachester@gmail.com — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 13:57:18 +0000

Here's to getting some of your husband's bravery to you AND to me! Let's give it a whirl, Kathy!

By: shifrachester@gmail.com

shifrachester@gmail.com — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 13:56:38 +0000

Yikes, Lisa! LTYM scares me. I got nervous/anxious/worried about too many things and I want to STOP it. You did the skydiving thing before you were 99. AWESOME!

Here's a virtual toast to at least getting started on working a bit on what scares us, or what holds us back.