Facing Your Fears ~ Sunday Tippets, Damsel Style

 

How does one go about taking risks and overcoming

fear???  Well, I decided to take on the challenge of a friend that told me that I needed to take the leap.  The leap to overcome my fear of a river bed!  Now, I know that it sounds funny that after four years of fly fishing, that I would still be apprehensive about the flow of the water in a stream or river.  But, I am.  I've had enough adventures of falling and nearly drowning that it has made me a bit gun shy.  And the last thing I want to do is stand on the side of a river casting out in one direction!  It works, but it is so much better to stand in the middle and be able to cast to one bank and turn around and hit the other side too.  So, I decided to confront my nemesis and leap into it a little bit farther...with a wading stick!  A great invention.

 

Most of our experiences in life are determined by

our own perception.  And my perception of the water that I fish twice a week, has been off kilter for sure.  I have spooked myself out!  In a nutshell, my perception of a situation that can be remedied just by practicing a lot more...has been hindered by my fear factor.  So, you feel apprensive about something that you want to do.  You are feeling scared and timid about jumping in. That prompts you to worry and that worry then influences all of your actions. It affects how you talk and it even impacts your body. You get the nervous stomach and so on. That all began with a feeling.  And this past year, I have searched for "safe spots" to fish...slower water, deep pools.  But, am I improving my skills as a fly fisherman?  No. 

 

Which bug is fake?  Oh...I guess that one with a bead head!

The best thing to do when confronted with anything is to view the situation with objectivity and an open mind. Be honest with yourself, too.  If the water is too swift, then I'm not going to plunge through it!  Of course not.  But, if I can scope out the different areas in front of me, I can usually see one route that would be easier to walk to get where I want to be.  When you put your emotions aside and can see something independently from what you may think about it, then you can cut through any possible delusion and see the situation accurately.  The interesting thing about overcoming a fear is that you need to believe that you can do it. Doubt is like cancer. It feeds on all the positive, happy thoughts and feelings you may have. Nothing kills a dream more quickly than doubt.  It's kind of like picking up the stone fly yesterday as I was re-rigging.  There was no more doubt on what to throw out there to land a fish.  So, I quickly put on the arsenal...  Bam, bam, bam!  Shakespeare said that “life is a stage and we each must play a part.”  It was so true yesterday.  For the stone fly, the trout, and for me!



A most deserving kiss from RD...

Now the thing about believing in yourself is that you have to have an accurate perception about yourself and the situation at hand.  When I picked up that stone fly, I knew my subject and fly of the day like I knew the back of my hand. I have no doubt about my potential and/or talent. I also know that I am capable of learning more and that makes me even more secure in knowing that I am on the right path.  I just needed a little bit of courage and a kick in the butt from a friend that told me to start believing again.  And you know what I found out?   It is easier to take a risk when you believe that you can achieve what you are trying to do.  Bottom line.

So, I headed out to the Weber River yesterday to try out the wading stick that has stood up in the corner of my room for the past four years...don't ask me why...Stubborness?  Probably.  But, we put it to the test.  And after ten laps across the river as my "practice time", I felt more comfortable with my balancing act.  Even the rain and then snow pellets coming down, did not deter me!  And how odd that it would make for better fishing!!  They were slurping... = )

It was a "rainbow" day for sure...and I actually killed two birds with one stone.  I started my journey in overcoming my fear of wading in a river and I won the battle with my old favorite river, the Weber!!  Now, this river has been tough for me this past year.  But, today...with a new confidence and positive attitude, I believed and those big ol' browns and rainbows filled my net.  I will take 17-18 in trout anyday!!!  In the end, oh yes...there had to be an end to the day unfortunately...we headed back to the car at 6 pm...ha!  When you have a successful journey, you make the most of it.  Don't you???  Nothing is better than the feeling of accomplishment and laying the fears aside.

SUNDAY TIPPET:

Cast your fears aside.  Face them head on and take on the challenge if you are physically, mentally, and emotionally able.  When you test your limits, sometimes you find that you can accomplish more than you originally thought!  It is often the anxiety that prevents you from doing it.  .Don't let the fear corner you or prevent you from doing something that you really want to do.  In my situation...it is just going to take practice, practice, practice!   That means that you give your best to the present moment and trust that it will lead you exactly to where you need to be.   

Fear and risk does exist in all aspects of life.  However, we become a slave to our fears only when we allow ourselves to be intimidated by it. Fear only becomes real when we believe that it is real.  So, believe that it isn't and LIVE BIGGER (As a friend has told me...)!!  Fear is not the boss of you….you are the boss of it. Decide today that YOU CAN and you will overcome your fears!