Sep 23, 2010

Life's Soundtrack - Overcoming Fear



Photo by Blue Elephant Photography from the Inspiration Studio Flickr Group

I recently did something that scared me silly, but it was worth every moment of fear.  Which has me thinking about all of the opportunities I've missed out on because I was afraid or embarrassed and just didn't try.  What kind of amazing adventures could I have had if I just faced down those moments and pushed forward.

Maybe I could have asked the cute boy out and had a good time.  Maybe I could have gotten on that tiny plane and flown around Mount Everest (a lifelong dream) while I was in Nepal instead of hearing about the experience from friends.  Maybe I could have called myself and artist or a blogger and shared my work with friends and family sooner and more freely.

What about you?  Are there things you want to experience or do but are being held back by fear?  What are you secretly dreaming of but putting off because you aren't yet ready to face down those butterflies that have you paralyzed?

If you are anything like me you have a list of things you are working up the courage to do or say, so this week I thought we'd put together a playlist of songs to help us overcome our fears or, at the very least, to encourage us to push through them.  What songs motivate you and give you the push you need to go forward when something is holding you back.  This list is harder than some of those we've put together before, but, I think it will be worth the effort.  I know I would have loved a playlist like this to have listened to as I got on that very scary tram and headed up the mountain.

Alexi Murdoch - Shine
Missy Higgins - Steer
Ane Brun - Raise My Head
Madonna - Express Yourself
Carolina Liar - Show Me What I'm Looking For
Conjure One - Extraordinary Way
Orianthi - According to You

Last week's playlist, Guy's Who Excel, is absolutely wonderful.  It is chock full of talented (and gorgeous) men whose voices make me melt.  I love the diversity of the list and love, love that it got me to finally appreciate Bob Dylan (something I've never been able to do before.)  My friend Anne, who created the original mix, even chipped in, and I'm quite sure she'll approve.  I even added in a song at the end in her honor, an extra does of Tom Petty, one of the songs I remember us singing together around the apartment.


Don't forget to share your picks of songs to help us push past the fear, I can't wait to put this next playlist to the test.

Happy Listening
Jamie
Lyrical Journey

7 comments:

Kathryn Dyche said...

I can so relate to this post. I'm often held back by fear or embarassement of trying something. It's a good reminder to face the fear and do it anyway!

blue elephant photography said...

i will be listening to this as i work on my photos. i love your post ♥ i can very much relate. i hate roller coaster rides, but i push through and ride them anyway (a minimum of just one ride) since my husband loves it so much. it doesn't mean that i wasn't screaming at the top of my lungs the whole time even if it had stopped already lol. when i get off of it, he gives me this big smile and hugs me happy. it is so worth it, his happiness means a lot to me ♥

Faith Hope and Cherrytea said...

loving this prompt -
here's my fave ~
Ashley Cleveland
'run in to your fears
where every dream just disappears..
destiny is waiting here
do not be denied ...'
yes!!

Suki said...

Absolutely beautiful writing Jamie! We can all relate to facing our fears.
I know I should face my fears more often.

kelly@thebluemuse said...

okay, first, thank you for including little dylan, i know he can be an acquired taste :)
i love your post, we all have those fears, we all struggle to get over them and sometimes it is enough just to know that others have experienced the same thing.
sheryl crow's It Don't Hurt comes to mind for this week...
Thanks!

Kim Klassen said...

oh Jamie
what amazing words you have shared.... and this play list... umm, once again!! fabulous.

i wish a song or 2 would come to mind, but i'm really foggy this morning...it's been a crazy week... but i think this playlist is waking and shaking things up. :)

thank you once again Jamie.... you are the BOMB. :)

xxo, kim

A Box of Chocolates said...

Jamie do you ever post the playlists on ITunes? I'm not even sure how you do it but I think people can then buy the lists and I think the author makes a little cash, if you know and I'm wrong, then oops. But the lists are great and I would love them on my ipod.