Some of you have expressed genuine concern about my safety due to my cracks about my coworker. Worry not. She only snarls; she poses no real threat.
On the other hand, some situations can be threatening. I read "The Gift of Fear" when it came out in 1997. I have reread portions of it many times. It is geared toward women but I know many men who have also found it helpful. This is from the flap:
True fear is a gift because it is a survival signal that sounds only in the presence of danger, yet unwarranted fear has assumed a power over us that it holds over no other creature on earth.True fear is primal. It is the voice in our head that says, "No!" Many people, especially women, ignore it for fear of offending someone. It's a good way to wind up dead.
I do trust my instincts now. (I will be the first to admit that I've done some pretty dumb things in my youth that could have gone way wrong!) I am also super cautious. I rarely go out alone after dark. Whenever possible, I take my dog along in the car. If I am out and about alone, I let someone know where I will be and I keep my cell phone on my person. I do not hesitate to ask someone I know to escort me to my car.
No one is ever completely safe and I refuse to live in a bubble. But when those little hairs on the back of my neck go up, I pay attention.
This quote was written before the digital age but it still fits:
"If you want to be safe on the streets at night, carry a projector and slides of your last vacation."
Helen Mundis
2 comments:
There is no one's judgment I would trust more than yours and no one's advice would ever come more welcome. Your 'words of wisdom' could not be better chosen and always are a 'perfect fit' for the subject of concern.
I agree with you wholeheartedly. We can not and must not live in fear, nor do we wish to 'live in a bubble' or worse still, become a recluse because of fear. I see 'red' at the thought of it.
There are adventures, for the taking, in our Big Wide World, and I, for one have not yet begun to enjoy the next 'round'. I can assure all that my motivator will not be coupled with fear, but amusement, interest, excitement and intrigue.
That said, I do not mean to imply that given the many changes in our world today, that I may not proceed with caution, my radar on high, and my eyes wide open ...because I surely will.
But with a somewhat 'Trust and Verify' approach, I shall definitely continue to 'Open doors' and step through them and into the 'unknown'. I will obey the danger/caution signs and I will listen to the 'little voices' that give ample warnings!
I will still explore opportunities that offer intrigue and possibilities that offer promotion, and adventures that only come around once, and are yours for the taking. But I will do it with an awareness that I never before felt I needed, and with one finger on the "keypad".
Yep! The last few years back into Society's Work Force has altered my views ... just a bit. It's a whole different world out there, but ya know what ...
It's my world too!! And I still want to enjoy!
Well, you already know how I feel about this subject. Also, thaks to you, Gavin DeBecker is my favorite Author in the world. Not only "The Gift of Fear", but "Protecting The Gift" and "Fear Less" are must reads.
FYI~ Lynn, I will get it to you this week ( :
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