The Writing Life
heebie-jeebies [coined by American cartoonist Billy DeBeck]: jitters, willies
When I’m about to give a speech or a presentation or am about to attempt some new feat, I experience the jitters, the willies, the heebie-jeebies.* Such emotions aren’t new, and I’ve learned to face them. Sometimes, the facing requires defensive maneuvers; other times, it requires offensive.
The usual saying when it comes to fear is to fight or flee it. A third option is available: jump deep into the thing that produces the fear. The option isn’t about fighting; it’s about recognizing that the fearful thing may be the one thing that one needs or wants to do.
[Read more…] about How to Handle Fear: Jump into the Deep End
A few weeks ago, I went rock climbing. It’s an interesting choice because I have a slight fear of heights. I don’t volunteer to climb ladders. I don’t get excited by the idea of skydiving. No, I like to keep my feet on the ground.
Work and a job are two different things. A job isn’t necessarily pleasant. At best, it pays the bills, but it has no meaning beyond the paycheck. At worst, it crushes and stifles the spirit. Work sometimes isn’t pleasant, either, but it has a perpetual joy to it. It is not the four-letter word some make it. Work is not to be dreaded; it should be something one enjoys doing. It should provide direction and engender passion.
When my friend Yuvi Zalkow challenged his readers to write about their fears or failures, I knew I would take part. One, he’s a friend. Two, the assignment is a creative challenge. Three, said assignment frightens me. I know I write about my fears on this blog at times, but Yuvi’s challenge seems of an entirely different caliber.
I’ve written about the BIG, SCARY THINGS, but what about the little, scary things? Things like changing an e-letter format. Adding a Creative Commons license. Focusing on growing the subscription base to the monthly e-letter (Have you subscribed?). Giving credit to the artwork used with the posts. Little things. Things that aren’t all that scary but are in some way. They indicate change – a change in thought and in actions. They indicate movement toward something bigger.