Places That Scare Us

That's the title of a Pema Chondron book - The Places That Scare Us; I've always loved that title for it's rhythm, similar to another favorite - Where the Wild Things Are. Come to think of it both those books are about fear and how it paralyzes and harms us, preventing us from moving into our potential.

I don't like to admit I'm afraid. It's a defense mechanism, I know, especially since the root of my fears is complete abandonment, that somehow I'll be left behind, whether by colleagues at my teaching job because I'm stymied by new technology that looks scary to learn, by publishers willing to back new book ideas ("really - you liked that idea, I'm not sure I can actually write it to its full potential") or by friends, lovers, even close family I feel I can't possibly deserve. There's a tension there; if this really is heaven - and it is heaven where we are now - a place filled with explosive love, creative ideas swirling around, and technology that connects us all - then it is our own sense of not being worthy, not being capable, not being open enough, that prevents us from going through those pearly gates.

WE ARE GOOD ENOUGH - right here, right now, as we are, and the battle against fear is just part of the action, part of our own mental drama. Yes, it looks scary out there - there are conditions that look like disease, cancer, insanity, and human threats to our peace, but the truth is the most earth shattering challenge to our potential is in our heads. Let's be tender with ourselves then. We are already enough.