Tuesday 1 August 2017

Original Nana - Overcoming Fear (of statues)


No I'm not a happy camper, but I'm
there. With the statues.
Taking pictures.
I have a fear of statues. I admit it. I'm not proud of it, but who in the world has ever been proud of having a fear? It all started with the church. Yes those huge statues of Jesus suffering on the cross looming over you. I used to clean my church in high school and college. In the foyer there was a crucifix- Jesus surrounded by John, Mary, and Mary. These statues were taller than my average 5'5 height. When I used to clean in the evening I would rush (translate as run) past the statue to leave. 


Things didn't get any better when there was a report one year of a statue crying blood. Oh boy! I don't think I ever cleaned the church in the evening alone again.

About twelve years ago I went to a museum in Connecticut with my friend's eight year old niece. Of course I couldn't show my fear when we moved through the statue section so I just rushed her through. 

This year I roamed through a museum in London. Turned out that they had a whole section of statues. By my lonesome I walked among the statues and appreciated them. Was I afraid? A little, but I made sure there were other people with me in the area. 

Have I conquered my little phobia - I think I'll have to test it in a church with loads of humongous statues surrounding me - I'm in no rush.


Do have a fear you've been trying to get rid of?

15 comments:

  1. That's awesome, Nana! Proud of you for working on conquering your fear. My biggest issue is bugs and creepy crawlies. It's not a crippling fear but I'd really rather avoid them. lol I'm getting better at not having a wee shriek when they touch me, though :)

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    1. Not shrieking is progress. You would not do well in Ghana at all.

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  2. Congrats to you, Nana! I know it wasn't easy.

    My fear is of bridges...especially over water. I've been known to break into a cold sweat, throw up and yes, even pass out.

    Will I ever conquer it? We'll see, but it's not on my immediate to-do list. ;)

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    1. That is a horrible fear to have, especially since it affects you physically. I hope you conquer it one day.

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  3. Thanks for sharing your story, Nana. I love that you've conquered a lot of your fear. I'm a person who has struggled with multiple fears. I've managed to partly overcome one of them - driving - purely because I've been forced to do a lot of it the last year. I still panic when I'm lost, but I'm a lot better than I was a year ago. Another fear that is worse and needs much more work is my fear of heights. I shake when I go on an escalator and will stay away from railings on anything above ground level. You won't find me up a skyrise building or by a cliff in the mountains. No thank you!! Some people say I should go skydiving to conquer my fear once and for all, but that would be pure torture.

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    1. Congrats on getting over you fear of driving. I'm not sure I can see skydiving as a solution to your fear of heights although I had a great time when I did it. I hope you can one day look down from a great height and smile.

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  4. I'm glad you're overcoming your fear and I think it's a great plot for a short horror story ;)

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  5. And I'm the total opposite. I love staring at statues that are exquisite and life-like. They don't scare me, at least not yet. :) Although, I haven't walked through an entire floor of life-like statues, that might be creepy....keep walking...

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    1. One of your scenes in Wickedly They Come (I believe) with a statue wigged me out.

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  6. I have a severe phobia/anxiety when it comes to driving car. As soon as I'm in the driver's seat, something overcomes me and I have to get out. So I never learned how to drive. I would like to try to at least know how if I need to get away from a kidnapper or speed away from the zombie apocalypse. So no rush from my side either. Good for you trying to overcome you fear Nana.

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    1. Zombie apocalypse- funny. I'm curious to know why the fear hits you.

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  7. It's impressive you've been able to work through your fear.

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  8. I do have a little fear of statues too, just a tine bit. But I do FEAR heights. Oh yes. I'm glad you have been able to conquer your fear zone. Its not easy i know.

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