Contemplating Fear and Other Life Lessons

By Frosty Wooldridge

The Bard said, “Out, out damned spot…what creeps on this petty pace from day to day…we strut and fret our hour upon the stage…and then are heard from no longer…ah, dust to dust.”

Fear: very few people really know fear unless they fought in war or were attacked by a man with a gun or experienced a head on car accident or almost drowned.  When a man or woman crawls through concertino wire with live bullets flying overhead and exploding bunkers, fear freezes one’s circuits and shows that person the doorstep to death.

But fear in daily life is not a factor because it’s a waste of mind and time.  Who has time to waste on fear?  What about resisting fear?

Resistance: I love the resistance of a windsurfer in a 30-knot wind. I love the resistance of pedaling up a 15,000-foot mountain pass. I love the resistance of a bump run on a ski slope with 20 inches of powder.  I love the resistance of pressing my palms through the water as I swim my laps or compete in a triathlon.  This week, I faced the resistance of a 13,500-foot mountain as I skied up to its peak.   So, I love resistance. However, I avoid resisting life.

If it’s right, go with it.  If it’s wrong, walk away from it.  If it’s forced upon you, deal with it. If you don’t like it, change it.  If you’re unhappy, choose to move toward happiness. If you can’t change it, do the best you can.  If all is hopeless and you can’t manage it any longer, choose whatever alternative works for you.  Heck, don’t waste time on earth unless you’re engaged in purpose, passion and expressions of living.

Every morning, we each may choose to wake up with gratitude for living this amazing life. What creative energy might you engage to pursue your life to its highest and best? If that means taking care of the grandkids or enjoying breakfast with your mate—relish it with joy.  If that means sitting in your rowboat with the fish line out in the water, how great your moment.  If it means a trip to Rome or a trip to the movies, it’s all such an incredible gift.  Enjoy the ride; it’s a once only moment in all of eternity.    You are blessed. 

Frosty Wooldridge taking notes at the top of a mountain in late February 2017.