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Archive for August, 2009

“Fear has a large shadow, but he himself is small.”
 

Ruth Gendler

“Fear is only as deep as the mind allows.”
 

Japanese Proverb

“Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death.”
Who is more foolish, the child afraid of the dark or the adult afraid of the light?
 

Maurice Freehill

“Anything I’ve ever done that ultimately was worthwhile… initially scared me to death.”
 

Betty Bender


“To lead is difficult when you’re a follower of fear.”

 

T.A. Sachs


What are you afraid of?

What scares you most?

How does the fear feel? In your body? Your mind? Your heart?

What quells the fear, if anything?

When I was little, I was afraid of my parents and some other not-so-nice authority figures in my young life.

I learned to fear water because of some not-so-nice experiences in and with it, learned to fear dogs for the same reason.

But I kept going back to my spirit—which told me that there was nothing to fear–that I was not like those who I feared and that I could surpass any fear, person, and situation, and find joy and inner peace.

I was afraid of losing—both on the skating rink and on the tennis court.

I was afraid of getting a B.

I was afraid of touching my toes because of my “bad back” (commencing at age 11—oh my!) and of disappointing my parents in any way, shape, or form.

I didn’t come into life with these fears. They were taught to me.

But again and again, I kept going back to my center—to my spirit—and remembering who I was. Again and I again, I said with intention and determination “I will find joy.”

When I was 14 my best friend was addicted to the soap opera “General Hospital.” I heard through a friend of a friend when and where one of the characters was getting married (in real life), and I crashed the wedding, with my best friend in tow. We hung out with that General Hospital cast—fearless–munching apps and coming up with various answers to the question “Now, how do you know the bride/groom?”

A triumph not only for my best friend, but also for myself. I faced my fear. And it felt good.

Last week I taught myself to swim freestyle. I watched in awe as one of my friends swam it effortlessly and gracefully—back and forth, back and forth—and was inspired.

I love to be inspired. What a great feeling!

Inspiration is a taste of the PURE POTENTIAL that you are.

I set my intention, donned my 11-year-old’s goggles, and set to the water.

100 laps/day, three days later, I was swimming the crawl. Not as gracefully as my friend—not yet—but I could make it one whole lap. My goal!

Now swimming is fun and I can’t get enough. This morning Philippe and I swam to the other side of Crystal Lake—and back. 30 minutes straight of swimming and with no wall to cling on to out of fear. Now THAT felt good.

So what am I saying? That I’m the best ever because I’ve faced a lot of fear–and then some–and let it all go?

Not at all.

What I’m saying is that we all have fears. It’s human nature. Whether we walked into this world with them, they were self taught, or taught to us by others, they’re there, Sister.

The question is, are you going to walk around with them, day after day? Are you going to carry that load?

It’s oh-so-heavy.

Boy do I know.

Facing fear frees us. It ignites our life force—our PRANA. With every fear I face and let go of, I get a little lighter, a little happier, and a little more fun. It’s fun to be fun, and to have fun. Fun is where it’s at. And the amazing and great thing is that thanks to THE LAW OF ATTRACTION (Abraham-hicks.com), the more fun you have, the more wonderful things you magnetize into your life.

How’s that for incentive?

When my 11-year-old was in Kindergarten, she was asked to describe her Mom (and Dad) in three words. Her words for her Dad were: “He likes pizza.” : ) Her words for me were: “Fun, fun, fun.”

A better compliment I could not ask for.

So what are you afraid of? And what can you do about it—today?

“Fear: False Evidence Appearing Real.”
 

Veer Sharma

“Nothing is worth more than this day.”
 

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“What we call the secret of happiness is no more a secret than our willingness to choose life.”

 

Leo Buscaglia 



Check Out Taylor's Blog at The Boston Herald
Super-Mom of the Month
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Super-mom Susan Tordella:

 

Every mom is a super mom because being a mom requires learning how to put other people’s needs ahead of our own, and management skills – of our emotions, of other people, and of a home.

My four kids were born in seven years by the time I was 29 years old. This was a blessing and a challenge. After having three children in three and a half years, I realized two things: to surrender to their needs because we were outnumbered; and to get help through parenting groups.

My children have given me so many gifts that I feel privileged to be their mother. Even though raising our kids required a lot of work, time and money, the rewards are worth it.

The most valuable gift they gave me was to learn patience, to slow down and wait for them to learn. They were so patient with me while I learned parenting skills – how to set reasonable boundaries with them and be kind, firm and consistent. The journey was never smooth or straight. How boring would that be!?

Even though sometimes motherhood was overwhelming, I cherish the days I spent doing things together as a family – cooking, eating and cleaning up together; going places – as simple as taking walks or going to the pool; doing crafts and chores – yes, even chores; reading and playing together on a regular day; supporting each other; laughing and telling stories.

I did my best to love and support my children through every stage. I strived to be the best mother possible, which meant forgiving myself and them for being human. My goal was that they grow up strong and independent, able to love and be loved, to make good decisions, and to want to have a relationship with me. After age 18, it’s optional to have a relationship with parents.

Mine have chosen to have relationships with me now that they’re ages 23 to 30. They are still the most important thing in my life. They have given me a focus – to raise them, to learn positive parenting skills, and to share what I learned with other parents.

While my kids were growing up, I attended parenting support groups and then led them – following the saying, “You teach what you most need to know.” In 2010 I wrote a book on how chores teach the priceless gift of self-discipline. Learning to manage my children and sustain a positive relationship with them required me to learn the skills of a CEO – with a kind heart, a generous wallet and coaching them to believe, “You can do it.”

We taught each other, “You can do it.” Now I teach parents “You can do it.” Raising them has been the most instructive, challenging, rewarding, and fun task of my life, with the longest lasting consequences. We do give our kids roots and wings. It requires careful tending of the soil, with water, sun, and community, followed by the perilous journey of learning to fly. What an adventure.

 

 

 

 

Susan Tordella

Egg-ducator

K-12 Bullying awareness & prevention

www.fowlbehavior.net