I’m an inexperienced driver. I didn’t get my license until after I graduated college and that was simply because I was scared to drive. Even when I obtained it after three failed attempts, I didn’t drive. I always worried that I wouldn’t know what to do in certain traffic patterns, what if I got lost or worse, what if I got into an accident?
It wasn’t until earlier this year that I began driving more. I’d drive to Delaware after a weekend in Philly (always with a passenger) and I also began driving myself to church, which was a big deal for me. But I was absolutely terrified of the highway. It made me nervous so needless to say my stomach was in knots Friday when I had to get on it by myself.
The boyfriend was going to Houston to visit a college friend and he needed a ride to the airport. He could have taken a cab, but what’s the point when you have a car. He could have also parked there for free, but that would mean that I would stuck in the house for three days and I wanted to go to church.
I told myself that if I felt comfortable driving to pick up his friend from the bus station in Newark, I would drop him off. It was a good driving day. Guys, I prayed the entire way home.
When I got home, my heart still pounding, I realized that was moment after doing something that scared the crap out of me. The notion of not being able to drive because I only knew just enough to pass the test was wiped away. The highway wasn’t this big bad monster. It wasn’t bad at all. This small victory taught me that fear only has power over you until you face it head on.
I know many of you are probably wondering why I am writing about this. The point of the story is that regardless what your fear is, you have to be willing to face it when given the opportunity. Had I not accepted the challenge and pushed myself, I would have definitely beaten myself up for not doing it. Plus, the way I viewed myself and possibilities for the future wouldn’t have changed.
My willingness to take the wheel Friday gave me a new-found independence that I have been longing for. I always felt stuck in the house because I didn’t have a car. I also haven’t lived in a city for a while so taking public transportation is more of a headache than it should be. This weekend, I was able to visit my sister who lives in a small town in Pennsylvania. I was also able to travel to Marshall’s, also in Pennsylvania, because my sister said a dress I plan on wearing Tuesday fit me well, but was ugly. Thanks.
Yes, I know it took me far too long to get to this point, but what matters is that I got here. Whatever you fear is, you too can overcome it by taking small steps and welcoming the opportunity to face it head on.
Have you faced your fears lately? If so, what was it and how did you overcome it?
