Year Of Fear....or Overcoming Fears

[JonathanBelles]

I have decided in the last month that this year, for me, will be the Year of Fear.

Today I took on the number 1 fear of people, Public Speaking. I am taking speech class and today was my first major speech in that class. Ive done large speeches, which to me are easy, but medium sized speeches are hard for me. I know I was very nervous going in and coming out of the speech, but after a few times, and just an FYI I chose the professor with the most speeches, I think I will get over the fear and it will get easier. 3 more speeches in the term...

So far this year I overcame my fear of Roller Coasters by going on both of the largest coasters in Florida, the Hulk and Sheikra. I had a scare, but at the same time I had a blast. Since my first coaster in October, I have been on 12 different coasters, some numerous times!

Over the next year I want to overcome some other fears, many which I cant think of now. One I want to abolish is the moderate fear of being in a high exposed area. Im not afraid of highs so much as being up there without being held up there. I cant even go over the Skyway without thinking about it lol. I want to abolish this year by going Parasailing over the beach! Sounds fun right, well Ive been scared to try it, but this year I will. I think being up there will be enough to break the fear.

I wanted to write this topic to maybe inspire others to overcome their fears, and to share my experience.

[CajunMama]

Now that you've done the hulk you've got to do expedition everest at animal kingdom. Wow! It's the best!

[tropicana]

jonathan! im glad the speech today went well, ive always had a fear of public speaking also as you know, but your attitude towards doing it and with the vision of overcoming that fear in future speeches is certainly one to be admired..and followed.

im not afraid of rollercoasters, i love the thrill... but im terrified of bungee jumping, ive never tried it and i dont want to either. I am afraid of jumping out of planes to parachute, i wont ever try this either, no way no how. id probably die from fright before i even jumped out anyway.

im sure i will think of other fears that i have , ones that i WILL love to conquer.

-justin-

[JonathanBelles]

jonathan! im glad the speech today went well, ive always had a fear of public speaking also as you know, but your attitude towards doing it and with the vision of overcoming that fear in future speeches is certainly one to be admired..and followed.

im not afraid of rollercoasters, i love the thrill... but im terrified of bungee jumping, ive never tried it and i dont want to either. I am afraid of jumping out of planes to parachute, i wont ever try this either, no way no how. id probably die from fright before i even jumped out anyway.

im sure i will think of other fears that i have , ones that i WILL love to conquer.

-justin-

Oh come on now lol. I haven't done wither, but I'd gladly join you You only live once, so do it at least once.

[Stephanie]

Good for you!

There's somethings, like roller coasters that I'll always keep my fear of. I don't have any inclination to get over it because they make me sick.

It's ironic that you feel more comfortable giving speeches to large audiences than to smaller ones, at least for me. I feel more comfortable talking in front of a group of people that I'm familiar with than with a larger group.

It's all about building confidence in yourself. Each little success is a stepping stone to another success. Best of luck!

[Andrew92]

Nice job with the speech in class! I totally understand that feeling, although I have gotten over that fear. I took a public speaking class in college and I can relate to that struggle, but trust me, once you've done them a couple more times, they're a piece of cake.

My fears: definitely getting shots, and I'm still about due for my tetanus shot. My goal is to get it sometime this year.

Another fear is heights, but it takes a lot for it to kick in. I can hike up some of the mountains in Arizona and not be afraid at all. However, these mountains are not the high, only going about a thousand feet above the city. Now if it gets to about a couple more thousand, then we're talking some dizziness here! This past year I also had to drive through an area with steep dropoffs and no guardrails and I thought I'd be petrified. I couldn't believe I handled it like I did, considering it was the first time I had done this in my life. And yet, despite all this, I have no fear of flying. Go figure.

And also about roller coasters and that like... I'm not really afraid of the rides themselves. In fact, I love thrills like that. What I'm afraid of is certain rides that might make me throw up. That is a fear I am not willing to face and overcome because my stomach isn't that strong. It can handle most rollercoasters, but some carnival rides that just do a lot of spinning would make it upset very easily. I mean, what's gonna make my stomach more used to them?

-Andrew92

[TexasStooge]

Last summer was the time for overcoming a new best friend of mine's fears. He was hydrophobic (hut tubs, showers, and drinking water was alright with him, but pools were a different story). His mom and I coaxed him into the pool, no pressure at all, and since then he has enjoyed every day swimming...except on days he got sunburned.

[DanKellFla]

fact, your next fear you need to overcome is the one of being rejected by women!!!
Personally, I was terrible at talking to women. After 'hello' it usually went downhill. But, I didn't let constant rejection and occasional redicule deter me. After about 1500 tries, I figured out my problem and actually could hold a conversation with a real live breathing girl. One day, I even got a date. And that pattern kept up until, dummy me, I met a fantastic woman and married her.
Now, when I talk to women, it is to exchange potty training tips.
And there are so many hot moms out there....

[JonathanBelles]

fact, your next fear you need to overcome is the one of being rejected by women!!!
Personally, I was terrible at talking to women. After 'hello' it usually went downhill. But, I didn't let constant rejection and occasional redicule deter me. After about 1500 tries, I figured out my problem and actually could hold a conversation with a real live breathing girl. One day, I even got a date. And that pattern kept up until, dummy me, I met a fantastic woman and married her.
Now, when I talk to women, it is to exchange potty training tips.
And there are so many hot moms out there....

ROFL...I should have expected that from you. I'm actually trying to remain single with close friends until I get onto the other side of college so that it doesn't interfere. I'm good with women for the most part, I have 3 close girls by my side, and in all actuality I have more female friends than I have male friends. That certainly isnt a fear that I hold.

[brunota2003]

Well, this summer I am gonna learn to get over my fear of talking to young women. It is funny, I can talk perfectly fine to them over the computer (whether it is IM'ing or on Skype) but you put me up to the living being and I get all quiet...

Here is to hoping when West Coast meets East Coast (me being East Coast obviously ), I dont get all shy, eh?! Cheers!

I did overcome my fear of surgery today, as I had my 4 wisdom teeth plucked from my mouth.

[DanKellFla]

fact, your next fear you need to overcome is the one of being rejected by women!!!
Personally, I was terrible at talking to women. After 'hello' it usually went downhill. But, I didn't let constant rejection and occasional redicule deter me. After about 1500 tries, I figured out my problem and actually could hold a conversation with a real live breathing girl. One day, I even got a date. And that pattern kept up until, dummy me, I met a fantastic woman and married her.
Now, when I talk to women, it is to exchange potty training tips.
And there are so many hot moms out there....

ROFL...I should have expected that from you. I'm actually trying to remain single with close friends until I get onto the other side of college so that it doesn't interfere. I'm good with women for the most part, I have 3 close girls by my side, and in all actuality I have more female friends than I have male friends. That certainly isnt a fear that I hold.

I am glad to provide some humor. What is your major?

[JonathanBelles]

fact, your next fear you need to overcome is the one of being rejected by women!!!
Personally, I was terrible at talking to women. After 'hello' it usually went downhill. But, I didn't let constant rejection and occasional redicule deter me. After about 1500 tries, I figured out my problem and actually could hold a conversation with a real live breathing girl. One day, I even got a date. And that pattern kept up until, dummy me, I met a fantastic woman and married her.
Now, when I talk to women, it is to exchange potty training tips.
And there are so many hot moms out there....

ROFL...I should have expected that from you. I'm actually trying to remain single with close friends until I get onto the other side of college so that it doesn't interfere. I'm good with women for the most part, I have 3 close girls by my side, and in all actuality I have more female friends than I have male friends. That certainly isnt a fear that I hold.

I am glad to provide some humor. What is your major?

Im leaving it undecided until I go to a university but it will be meteorology.

[Squarethecircle]

Have you tried really sickening heights? Like, six-foot-wide-Scottish-eighteen-thousand-feet-up-you-drop-you-die kind of heights?

[Rainband]

I used to be afraid of public speaking as well but I have overcome that. I want to go skydiving and over come my fear of heights, I am not sure when that will happen though

[JonathanBelles]

I used to be afraid of public speaking as well but I have overcome that. I want to go skydiving and over come my fear of heights, --- ---

Edit: I used to be afraid of public speaking as well but I have overcome that. I want to go skydiving and over come my fear of heights, and I will this year

[Rainband]

Ok I will work on it

[JonathanBelles]

My second speech is tomorrow and im in mode.

[Andrew92]

My second speech is tomorrow and im in mode.

Just relax, go over what you're going to say, take a deep breath, and then just say what you have to say! You'll get it.

-Andrew92

[TexasStooge]

My second speech is tomorrow and im in mode.

Just relax, go over what you're going to say, take a deep breath, and then just say what you have to say! You'll get it.

-Andrew92

I know I did.

[JonathanBelles]

Well poop...my professor is sick and my speech was moved to Wednesday :-/