Kill The Bear

Waking in the night leaves me at my most vulnerable state.

I imagine the greatest evil, the most harm, the worst calamity.

I know it too, but there it is there like the monster in a dream. That bear that always chases me in my nightmare or the fire that burns out of control. I told Naarah about my recurring nightmare of being chased by a bear.

Her response? "Mom, kill the bear."
Of course it was daylight and I had the courage. The bear always comes out after dark. But last night after awaking to the fear of failure on a project, even accepting defeat.

Last night, that bear died. It told me in the dark that I would fail at an endeavor and that it's ok to fail sometimes.

But, by dawn, I found the courage to turn and face the bear. I took that bear by the scruff of the neck as soon as I got in this morning. Kris and I tackled that sucker and we had it fully dead, beheaded and guts all over by noon.

What a thrill. We both felt pretty euphoric at its passing. It wasn't as large an enemy I had imagined after all.
We found a solution by facing it head on.

I am sure there is a lesson here. I've shared this in staff meetings. Face Your Fears. Kill the bear.

And that's what I am up to.