Throwing Caution to the Wind, Driving and a Magical Bond!

To quote myself, "I long to be the person who fearlessly dives in, throwing all caution to the wind." The Magazine of Yoga, November 5, 2011.  

That was over two years ago and yet I found myself nervously gripping the steering wheel, my stomach tumbling and churning as I drove towards the looming overpass.  And may I point out that it never "loomed" before.

I may not always be the most courageous person, but I've never been afraid to drive on any stretch of highway, no matter how high and winding it may be. Until yesterday.  For absolutely no good reason I can think of.

Slightly embarrassed by this turn of events I shared my panic with Maggie Mae. I am not alone, she confided, she's dealt with her own driving angst as well.  So, after commiserating with a few more friends, it appears strange happenings are popping up among fifty somethings like weeds on a hot summer day.  Some won't drive in the rain.  Or the turnpike.  Or the interstate. At all.  Mother-in-law knew a woman who would only drive if she could make right hand turns. Hmmmm?

As I approached the fork in the road I had to make a split second decision, do I go up and over this suddenly death defying height, or continue grounded, taking the long way home?  "You can do it! You can do it!"  I said aloud as I drove higher and higher.  "You did it, you did it," relieved, I whispered to myself, slightly shaken, but no worse for wear.

I know there is a lesson in all this.  Perhaps the fears we secret away grow larger, but magically, when we share, become proportionately so much smaller. Let's go with that!