Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway

We challenged ourselves to take a flying trapeze lesson on New Year's Eve. Here's a photo of Miss Pamela flying with our instructor, Scout. It was an exhilarating experience. Each time I stepped on the platform to prepare for my flight I was terrified. My fear never dissipated -- but I did find it easier to face. With each jump I felt myself becoming strong with the knowledge that I could face my fear and succeed by flying.

I've been telling myself for years that fear is a normal part of life. It's constant work to permit myself to be afraid and to move forward anyway. The smile on Pam's face reminds me that facing fear can be joyful, exhilarating and empowering.

New Year's Resolutions

I made progress with last year's resolutions and will continue to work on them in the upcoming year:
(1) added yoga to my body work. One of my fierce/strong dance buddies suggested I practice yoga to improve my overall physicality and de-stress. I now practice 2Xs per week and recently decided to do more on my own. In the beginning I experienced very intense emotions like fear during the class but I pushed past this. I've always been flexible but now I'm now able to move in new ways and I'm stronger. In the upcoming year I want to develop the discipline to quiet my mind practice own my own;
(2) I was determined in 2007 to begin to invest independent of my employee tax deferred annuity AND independent of the Mrs. I opened a money market account. I've made modest gains and I've proven to myself that I can;
(3)remained conscious of my weight AND refused to hate my body even as it changes.

In 2008 I plan to:
(1) strengthen my back. My lower back holds my body's stress. It's stiffened a bit this past year. I'm not able to ripple it in dance class as I used to. I'm determined to see how fluid and strong it will become with purposeful work. I also want to drop and do 25 GI Jane push-ups without breaking a sweat;
(2) help someone other than myself (that is, go beyond writing checks). It's been two years since the Princess/Big Sister debacle. My calling may not be mentoring young girls but I'm ready to try something again.

Rob Brezsney's has some interesting, wheel-greasing advice http://www.freewillastrology.com/horoscopes/allsigns.html

Addendum: Sociologist's advice on how to honor our resolutions: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17759821

What's on your mind for 2008?