Facing Fears
Fear, "an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat."
Fear has stopped me dead in my tracks. Fear has caused me to called a baby, immature, unreasonable, crazy, etc....One of my biggest fears, is needles. The first interaction I remember with a needle was when I was four years old. I was taken to the emergency room to receive stitches in my head, from running down the stairs and my head hitting the corner of the wall. My father took me and as I was on the bed I was kicking and screaming, making myself sick, and kicking and biting the doctor. It was that moment I landed in a straight jacket tied by my feet and hands so the doctor could place 4 small stitches in my head.
Doctor visit after doctor visit I never got better, in fact I got worse. My mother left me behind once or twice at the pediatrician and the podiatrist. Everyone says face you fears head on and you will overcome them. Would I really overcome my fear by voluntarily having a needle stuck in my arm? Are you crazy, I would say to everyone.
Well that all changed on Monday as I watched the news and saw the deadly massacre that took place in Las Vegas. How could I sit by and #PrayForVegas. What else could I do? Sure I sent a text to my congressmen. I tweeted, sent messaged via Instagram, and put out a post on Facebook, but deep down I knew I needed to do more. Every post sharing how you can become involved had the same similar messages and one stood out, DONATE BLOOD. Whether you are in Las Vegas, NYC, Miami or New Jersey you can donate blood and it will save lives.
Donate Blood, Tracy you can do this...I told myself that about 200 times between Monday and today at 12:37 when I was escorted back into the donation room. Check out these statistics from the American Red Cross about Blood Donation.
"Although an estimated 38 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood at any given time, less then 10 percent of the eligible population actually do each year."
So with my nerves at 100% I knew I had to face my fears. I walked into the Central Jersey Blood Center, told the woman at the desk it was my first time and I would wait for the first available slot. I was told 1:15 when I arrived at 12:05, yet I was called back at 12:35. I mentioned it was my first time at least a dozen times and every staff member made me feel super comfortable. I asked a million questions, laughed and cried at one point but knew deep down this was the right thing to do. The process took all of about 45 minutes from questions to the actual donation. The nurse stayed with me, everyone checked up on me and I felt amazing as I walked out of the doors after my donation. My fear of needles was still slightly there but not as bad as it has been in the past.
I faced by fears head on and I am giving back and saving lives all the while. You can do this as well. Whatever you fear may be face it head on.
What is your biggest fear?
XoXo,
Tracy
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Fear has stopped me dead in my tracks. Fear has caused me to called a baby, immature, unreasonable, crazy, etc....One of my biggest fears, is needles. The first interaction I remember with a needle was when I was four years old. I was taken to the emergency room to receive stitches in my head, from running down the stairs and my head hitting the corner of the wall. My father took me and as I was on the bed I was kicking and screaming, making myself sick, and kicking and biting the doctor. It was that moment I landed in a straight jacket tied by my feet and hands so the doctor could place 4 small stitches in my head.
Doctor visit after doctor visit I never got better, in fact I got worse. My mother left me behind once or twice at the pediatrician and the podiatrist. Everyone says face you fears head on and you will overcome them. Would I really overcome my fear by voluntarily having a needle stuck in my arm? Are you crazy, I would say to everyone.
Well that all changed on Monday as I watched the news and saw the deadly massacre that took place in Las Vegas. How could I sit by and #PrayForVegas. What else could I do? Sure I sent a text to my congressmen. I tweeted, sent messaged via Instagram, and put out a post on Facebook, but deep down I knew I needed to do more. Every post sharing how you can become involved had the same similar messages and one stood out, DONATE BLOOD. Whether you are in Las Vegas, NYC, Miami or New Jersey you can donate blood and it will save lives.
Donate Blood, Tracy you can do this...I told myself that about 200 times between Monday and today at 12:37 when I was escorted back into the donation room. Check out these statistics from the American Red Cross about Blood Donation.
"Although an estimated 38 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood at any given time, less then 10 percent of the eligible population actually do each year."
So with my nerves at 100% I knew I had to face my fears. I walked into the Central Jersey Blood Center, told the woman at the desk it was my first time and I would wait for the first available slot. I was told 1:15 when I arrived at 12:05, yet I was called back at 12:35. I mentioned it was my first time at least a dozen times and every staff member made me feel super comfortable. I asked a million questions, laughed and cried at one point but knew deep down this was the right thing to do. The process took all of about 45 minutes from questions to the actual donation. The nurse stayed with me, everyone checked up on me and I felt amazing as I walked out of the doors after my donation. My fear of needles was still slightly there but not as bad as it has been in the past.
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| Wrapped in pink for #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth in memory of my mother |
I faced by fears head on and I am giving back and saving lives all the while. You can do this as well. Whatever you fear may be face it head on.
What is your biggest fear?
XoXo,
Tracy
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