As I young child I entered 4-H in order to help conquer my fears.
I needed to train a young heifer for showmanship.
As a member of the Sumas 4-H club,
we entered our animals at the annual PNE Show.
What a highlight!
Showtime came.
It was my turn to show my animal...
After all I had trained the animal daily, for months on end.
Guess what? It was in Heat!!!
Meaning that the animal was experiencing physiological changes.
This meant a radical interruption to it's normal trained behavior.
It didn't take long and the calf was dragging me all over the ring.
The judge of course, had is eye on me,
to see how well I could manage the animal.
Finally, my Dad had to come out of the stands,
and grab the halter from me,
while I slumped away in embarrassment.
I had this enormous fear,
that it would jump right on top of me.
Anyways, last week I took a drive to my old farmstead.
The farm yard still looked identical. Nothing had changed.
I asked hubby to stop...just for a moment to grab some shots.
I jumped out of the truck,
took a few steps forward on the lawn and....
KABOOM!
A hugh dog came running and leaping across the yard.
I felt I was his target!
I spun around and jumped into the truck.
Loud shrieks could be heard all over the place.
Fear chilled me to the bones.
~~~~~~~
The next day I was walking with a friend.
Guess what?
Two dogs come running out at us,
and be reassured, the screams were piercing.
I was imagining my legs being scarred forever,
the flesh of my calves being shredded apart by their sharp teeth.
Meanwhile my friend is smiling and getting a kick out of this.
Finally she shoos them back home.
Now, I finally had to confess to her,
that I, even though a farmers wife,
had a huge fear of animals, especially dogs.
Now, how were we going to come back?
I finally found a stick which would provide me with protection.
I can still see her chuckling....
As we turn about to go back,
I see the dogs dart out of the drive way.
All I'm thinking is...
Where is my cell?
I need to call 911!
She once again, stands by and makes sure the dog attacks her.
They were playful with her, jumping on her nice white hoodie.
Meanwhile I'm walking briskly down the road,
heart pumping way out of kilt...
thinking how foolish I was.
What is it about some things, that fear seems to get the best of us?
I checked on the internet in how to deal with fear,
It suggested to put yourself into an entirely helpless situation,
like skydiving....
Once you commit yourself, to undergo an activity like skydiving,
it becomes clear that the outcome is out of your hands.
That's quite an option!
I think in this case,
I'd rather walk with a close friend...
who can smile and laugh at my fears.
Over the last few days, I stumbled upon my 4-H Pledge.
"I Pledge,
My Head to clearer thinking,
My Heart to greater loyalty,
My Hands to larger service,
My health to better living,
For my club, my community and my country."
Even after all these years my fearful, selfish actions,
obviously did not emulate the words of my 4-H Pledge!
I needed to train a young heifer for showmanship.
As a member of the Sumas 4-H club,
we entered our animals at the annual PNE Show.
What a highlight!
Showtime came.
It was my turn to show my animal...
After all I had trained the animal daily, for months on end.
Guess what? It was in Heat!!!
Meaning that the animal was experiencing physiological changes.
This meant a radical interruption to it's normal trained behavior.
It didn't take long and the calf was dragging me all over the ring.
The judge of course, had is eye on me,
to see how well I could manage the animal.
Finally, my Dad had to come out of the stands,
and grab the halter from me,
while I slumped away in embarrassment.
I had this enormous fear,
that it would jump right on top of me.
Anyways, last week I took a drive to my old farmstead.The farm yard still looked identical. Nothing had changed.
I asked hubby to stop...just for a moment to grab some shots.
I jumped out of the truck,
took a few steps forward on the lawn and....
KABOOM!A hugh dog came running and leaping across the yard.
I felt I was his target!
I spun around and jumped into the truck.
Loud shrieks could be heard all over the place.
Fear chilled me to the bones.
~~~~~~~
The next day I was walking with a friend.
Guess what?
Two dogs come running out at us,
and be reassured, the screams were piercing.
I was imagining my legs being scarred forever,
the flesh of my calves being shredded apart by their sharp teeth.
Meanwhile my friend is smiling and getting a kick out of this.
Finally she shoos them back home.
Now, I finally had to confess to her,
that I, even though a farmers wife,
had a huge fear of animals, especially dogs.
Now, how were we going to come back?
I finally found a stick which would provide me with protection.
I can still see her chuckling....
As we turn about to go back,
I see the dogs dart out of the drive way.
All I'm thinking is...
Where is my cell?
I need to call 911!
She once again, stands by and makes sure the dog attacks her.
They were playful with her, jumping on her nice white hoodie.
Meanwhile I'm walking briskly down the road,
heart pumping way out of kilt...
thinking how foolish I was.
What is it about some things, that fear seems to get the best of us?
I checked on the internet in how to deal with fear,
It suggested to put yourself into an entirely helpless situation,
like skydiving....
Once you commit yourself, to undergo an activity like skydiving,
it becomes clear that the outcome is out of your hands.
That's quite an option!
I think in this case,
I'd rather walk with a close friend...
who can smile and laugh at my fears.
Over the last few days, I stumbled upon my 4-H Pledge.
"I Pledge,
My Head to clearer thinking,
My Heart to greater loyalty,
My Hands to larger service,
My health to better living,
For my club, my community and my country."
Even after all these years my fearful, selfish actions,
obviously did not emulate the words of my 4-H Pledge!
