Flying in the Face of Fear

Something momentous happened today. A bird flew very near my face, and I did not flinch.

Now this may seem like a minor event. After all, birds fly around us everyday, especially since we humans are taking up more and more space on the planet due to overpopulation. It’s inevitable that we have a few head on collisions with nature.  And I am sure there are many people who have no problem with the presence of our feathered friends.  I will admit they are beautiful and amazing creatures (minus the in flight pooping, which I think we can all agree is a less desirable quality)

But for a very long time (and I am not sure when it started exactly) birds have frightened me. On more than one occasion the winged animals have sent me screaming in the other direction.

There is one instance I remember quite clearly when I was in one of those warehouse stores with a very good friend of mine. There happened to be a bird that somehow had flown himself into the store. My friend, a bit of a prankster, knowing my fear, chased the bird in my direction (yes we are still friends surprisingly enough). In a state of panic I dove into a display of economy size toilet paper rolls.

But today I did not flinch when a bird flew very near my face . And though it is an isolated instance, I feel like it is a micro example of a bigger happening in my life.

I am changing. I have the ability to change. I can overcome the fears that have held me back.

Now I am not saying that I want to be locked in a cage with a flock of pigeons. And I am not saying that I am ready to face everything that scares me head on. I’m just noting that there has progress, and progress gives me hope for greater successes ahead. And that is a beautiful thing.