Overcoming Your Fears
I’m forced to face my arachnophobia [fear of spiders] throughout the summer months in Seattle – which is manageable in relatively controlled environments. Heights bother me only in utterly exposed situations, which is a different fear altogether.
When I have a good opportunity to face my fears, I take it – nervously.
On our first cruise, Ponzi cajoled me into climbing a rock wall that stood on one end of the ship. I wasn’t really comfortable with the idea of doing it at sea (despite the extended safety precautions). I didn’t embrace the idea enthusiastically, but went through with it for Ponzi’s sake (seriously, or the whole vacation would have boiled down to me “not listening” or “not wanting to have fun” despite any personal fears or shortcomings that counter her own).
I hated every moment of this rock-climbing experience, and would just as soon drink a gallon of bleach than climb anything ever again. The prick controlling the cable told me that I didn’t ring the bell after I did the first time – and wouldn’t let me down until I rang it again. Asshole! If the Almighty would have wanted us to scale walls with plastic nubs attached, he would have given us claws instead of fingers.
Why’d I do it? Just to prove to myself that I could, I guess. Sometimes you grow by facing your fears – even if the overcoming is merely temporary. Don’t ever ask me to go climbing with you – I’ve done it, and I don’t like it.
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10 Comments
The Chris Pirillo Show
November 9th, 2009
at 1:34pm
[IMG] Chris Pirillo Overcoming Your Fears Apocalypse 2012 ?F? That ?S? Does Microsoft Price Gouge Europe? Copyright Insanity When is a Tablet PC not a Tablet PC? The Ultimate Free Guide to Stop Viruses and Spyware The Telemarketer Game
Morningzoo
November 9th, 2009
at 1:34pm
Overcoming Your Fears Apocalypse 2012 “F” That “S” Does Microsoft Price Gouge Europe? Copyright Insanity
Lisa Lee
June 26th, 2007
at 6:58am
I hereby challenge you to climb a rock wall once yearly! ;)
You did great!
Sarah
June 26th, 2007
at 8:24am
Chris, get a dictionary & check out which phobia you are discussing.
Michael Markman
June 26th, 2007
at 9:12am
Congratulations. So, if you go to sea to climb rocks, where do you go for white water rafting?
Scott Sigler
June 26th, 2007
at 10:10am
I used to live near Puget Sound as a kid (Sedro Wolley, WA). We had these huge, bright-orange spiders. Practically hunter’s orange. A kind of wolf spider, I think. Talk about freaky. You ever see those bad boys in the Seattle area?
francine hardaway
June 26th, 2007
at 10:44am
With great love I tell you that arachnophobia is fear of spiders. I think what you have is “acrophobia,” fear of heights. Or “agoraphobia,” fear of open spaces. Good thing former English teachers like me are still useful every now and then.
David Roche
June 26th, 2007
at 2:54pm
Chris, I never would have done that in a million years, and if you are truly as afraid of heights as you say you are, I am truly impressed!
Alex Mayorga Adame
June 26th, 2007
at 10:17pm
Love the Shakira soundtrack of your adventure.
Kudos on facing your “whateverphobia” (I concur its acrophobia, given I’m afraid of height every now an then too) and succeeding at it.
Tinman
June 29th, 2007
at 7:35pm
Darn Chris, and right when I was going to invite you to meet me in the Rockies for a couple of day’s of cliff-hanging! ;)