Monday, December 31, 2012

How to Laugh at Fear

Decades ago, a great idea, and he (his house too) would say, "You can't do that." Garden plans would be diminished or stopped altogether.


Several years of this circus, I got off the merry-go-round.  No fear.  Began going to Europe, studying historic landscapes, received another degree, horticulture.  Opened a Garden Design business, new decades of family disapproval, "Use your engineering degree, don't be a bag lady."  Thanks for that refrain, dad.
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Many lean years.  To the bone.  I didn't care.
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Went to a career coaching weekend a decade ago & had an epiphany, "What would I do tomorrow if I were not afraid?"  Fear is a sure thing, it will keep coming back with new expertise/costume guaranteed.
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Jumping forward to the last 3 years, worst economy since the Great Depression, I've had the top earning years of my career.  Moved 'him' out, bought my own home & another home nearby to use as an office/guest cottage.
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Ironically, getting rid of fear taught me how to know if I'm doing the right thing in my career.  Choices are tough but once made, the choice is FUN.  And the choices aren't in my head, I ask my heart.  My head is a lizard brain.
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Are you afraid?  What would you do tomorrow if you were not afraid?
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Garden & Be Well,      XO Tara
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Pic via Habitually Chic
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"Wherever our most primal fears reside--our fears of the dark, of death, of being devoured, of meaninglessness, of lovelessness, or of loss--changes are good that beneath them lie gems of wisdom and maybe a vision or a calling. Wherever you stumble--on a tree root, on a rock, on fear or shame, or vulnerability, on someone else's words, on the truth--dig there." Gregg Levoy




11 comments:

Kathy said...

I love love love this post! It's the best blog post of 2012, maybe of all time. Thank you for blogging. I'm so glad you over came your fears and found happiness. You truly inspire me!

Pam Kersting said...

Thank you for sharing a little part of your life with us. It is endearing and what wonderful advice! Happy new year my friend, garden and be well!

David C. said...

What would you do tomorrow if not afraid...great thought. And you did it / are doing it. I'm catching up, as your thought is deeper in me every day, like much of the last 17 years.

Engineering over bag lady...sheesh!

Kay dancingbrushpainting.blogspot.com said...

I will likely never meet you, but you are changing my life. Introducing me to Terry Hershey (I am also in the Pacific Northwest and had never heard of him), and your wonderful, inspiring blog posts. I subscribe to many and delete most without reading. Your I ALWAYS read.

Thank you. And I agree with Kathy!

susan vieth said...

Well said. Here's to having lots of choices in 2013.
Thank you

home before dark said...

Congratulations on moving on with courage and conviction. At 63, I have found that living up to other's expectations is great for them, seldom great for us. A garden is a wonderful place to heal and grow. It gives life and give us a sense of purpose and rhythm to our days. It allows us to regain our footing and helps us dream.

Best of luck in the coming new year. I'm seeing great things for you.

Nella Miller said...

Tara, this is so true....fear is crippling! I have experienced it's effects many times....too long and involved to go into here...but I have overcome! N.xo

Connie in Hartwood said...

This is wonderful, more relevant version of what is probably my most favorite saying of all time.

"What would you do if you knew you would not fail?"

Here's to taking more leaps in this new year.

Janelle McCulloch said...

Love this Miss Tara. Really needed to read this at the moment. xx

Janelle McCulloch said...

Loved this Miss Tara. Really needed to read this at the moment. xx

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