People who know me well know that I have suffered from a fear of heights for the last 15 years. It’s not one of those convenient rational fears; it’s one of the irrational ones that strike and really can make you suffer mentally and sometimes physically. (My brother once suffered physically due to my fear of heights, but he shouldn’t have given me a push at Niagara Falls. Sorry bro, but you had it coming!)
A recent post by Henrik Edberg over at The Positivity Blog has some real great tips and quotes on overcoming your fears.
As I started to read the post, I was drawn in by a quote from the book Dune by Frank Herbert:
I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.
Ok… so you got the sci-fi buff. But as I read more, I found the most compelling bit of advise came from someone who went through life in darkness: Helen Keller. Blind and deaf for most of her adult life, Helen was outspoken, an activist and well traveled. She said:
Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature… Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. [Emphasis added]
So perhaps my fear of heights is not only valid, it’s also part of the price one pays to feel alive. Food for though…