March 5, 2012
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Fear
I used to be fearful of a lot of things.
Fear can be crippling.
I was afraid to learn how to drive and did not get my license until I was 25,
so I have been driving for 25 yrs now.
I knew people who were afraid of the by-pass and interstates,
of driving in snow or at night.
I did not want to be like that but I was not past the hurts in life that
held my self esteem hostage.
I would go out everyday and learn new roads and
get on the highways.
I began counseling once I could drive to get there.
I remember the very thought I had,the one that shed light into the darkness
I thought...
"I am going to live til I die and the day I die will be a good day to die"
I was not going to be afraid to live.I made up for lost time...
I drove to Key West, Northern Ontario and into Mexico,
along the west coast from Washington down to LA,
along the Gulf Coast and the Atlantic coast
from Florida to New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island.
I love to drive!I thank God for healing and strength to live each day.
I love life.
Comments (42)
I didn't know you waited so long to drive, but it sounds like you've been a ton of fun places!
I am glad you learn to drive, better late than never. I have driven on seversl long trips, and one time from Boston to Los Angeles. We are planning a trip to go around the USA, say that will be s lot of driving. Do you have any favorite drive trip?
Overcoming that type of fear is something most people never attempt, bravo lady! You are too young, beautiful and alive to let phantom voices hold you back. Keep a record of your achievements, pictures of your travels, a journal of your escape from the fear that binds you and call on it whenever it threatens to rear its ugly head again. You impress me.
Yay Beth! I had no fear of driving only of having passengers in the car! I figured if I did something wrong and I was killed I'd be OK with that but the idea that I held the lives of others in my hands kind of unhinged me. I'm over that now. But where is the motorcycle?
better late than never for sure
Sounds like the moment you overcame that initial fear, nothing could hold you back.Keep on keeping on, Beth.
Being brave or strong doesn't mean not being afraid of doing things. Bravery is being scared and doing it anyway. You are a much stronger person than you give yourself credit for. You are an amazing woman.
I postponed driving, too. My mom ended up making me an appointment at the DMV and drove me out there. I passed, amazingly. I just don't enjoy or like driving. However, I do end up driving whenever we go places around town b/c of my severe motion sensitivity. It's either take Dramamine to ride somewhere or suck it up and drive us. Kind of a lose-lose situation.
Glad you conquered your fear!!!! Those sound like great destinations!
Yay for you! It's wonderful when we get past our fears.
I have a sister who drives several miles to work in LA on surface streets because she gets anxious on the freeway. My dad had a lot of phobias, too, but he was very good at hiding them and getting on with what needed to be done. I wish he had overcome them instead of just mastering them.
What a wonderful post and so inspiring.
Go Beth, Go!
You often have to convince donkeys that something is safe before they will do it. Hence their rep for being stubborn. Horses will just do WHATEVER! Dumb horses!
I would have never guessed that about you, the way you just roll through life. Where do you think the fear of driving came from?
You sure overcame that particular fear in a big way! And I'm not particularly talking about the
distance
you've driven... And now I'm laughing. Ah, memories!
Yes, Saintvi knows first-hand. I, too remember you wheeling about with the same power you bring to everything.
And I guess for me to lose my fear of water over my head, I'll just have to move somewhere where the shrink lives on the other side of a river with no bridge.
LIVE til you die! love it!
sounds like you certainly did overcome your fear of driving!!
Growing up in car-crazed Southern California, I never had a fear of driving -- but I've had plenty of fears recently about how the kitchen will come together! The only way to conquer such fears is to be brave and plow through the fear to success!
I was terrified of driving as well. My parents bought me my car for my senior year, and I didn't even know how to reverse it or turn. All I knew was to drive straight. So having a fast new car didn't make me want to learn any. My Dad was really patient with me and I finally got it down. I think I'm just afraid of causing a wreck because I've been in too many with other people.
I still have a fear of driving...and I've been driving for 47 years. Just in the same spot over and over mostly.
You don't drive and listen to country music at the same time do you?!? Ack!!!! FEAR!!!! shglaf!
I needed to read this today. Thank you for sharing it.
I Love Life Too - it's been a leap of faith for sure
DRIVE to Vermont (pssst: we have a Route 66, too, you know)
muah.
I didn't wait until 25... but I did not get my license until I was 17.... parents told me I needed to help them pay insurance so I got a job.
Awesome!!!
Overcoming a fear is an achievement itself.
Let's hear it for healing!
It is powerful what can happen when you learn to stand up to your fears.
I was scared of driving too..... I went to take a written test and I just left my permit sat there on the table until it expired because I was too scared of driving on the road. 2 years later my parents wanted me to drive. So I just paid the driving school to take me on the street. Now I have my license but it's still scary for me though.
Wonderful post about your fear..which also affects others as well. You sharing your thoughts and how you did it..helps I am sure..Very happy for you..you should be proud of yourself that's for sure
Enjoy your new found joy that you have overcome..take good care..hugs, Lee 
I use to be afraid of driving and avoid freeways, it was a burden on my relationship at the time. But now I'm over it, and I'm glad you are too. It's too bad gas is going up though
I didn't get my license till I was 21 as I was never allowed to drive when living with my grandparents and when I lived in a city I could take a bus to work, so when we moved to the country I had to learn to drive to get a job. I like to drive but don't like interstates as people drive crazy and there is too much tail gating for my liking. I remember you visiting me as part of one of your road trip. If I had the money and time, I would like to rent a car and drive some place, taking pictures along the way. I am 60 now, and have never had a ticket for speeding.
Yes, sometimes it's easier to let the fears overwhelm us and rob our joy!! Isn't it amazing how some of the people we view as strong and adventurous are really so much like us timid ones. (they just cover it well, or overcome it!!)
Loved this post.
I got my license when I was 17, but didn't drive on an interstate until I was about to turn 19 or had just turned 19. It was the most terrifying experience I think I've ever had. Now it's almost two years later and although I can drive on some interstates with comfort, there are others that I refuse to drive on (anywhere that has a lot of entrance and exit ramps). The "scary city" I'm trying to master at the moment is Jackson, Mississippi and it gets better each time I do it. Bravo to you for over coming your fear! I hope that one day I have the guts to do as much driving as you have.
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but I am glad you conquered it..
Oh, Beth you so inspire me. I love love love what you said about living until you die and then when that day comes to die, it will be the right or good day after you have lived your life. I needed to hear this. I want to go to Prince Edward Island so bad. I too had a fear of going off very far since my husband is no longer to go on trips but a few years ago I drove to the East Coast and took my daughter with me. We got to Maine and was going to Prince Edward but they had closed the ferry for the winter. It was in October but we did get to see the changing of the leaves, something I had always wanted to do and it was absolutely gorgeous that year. I love Anne of Green Gables so I hope to get up the nerve to go a second time. BTW, my sister has recently moved to I believe it is Williamsport PA. Is that close to you? I don't visit xanga much anymore but when I do, I always look forward to what you have to say.
In face, Beth, the picture on my profile here was taken on that trip. We just stopped somewhere out in the country and no one was home at this little house with the gate and the flowers and the pumpkins, but we stopped and took pictures.
amen! (((HUGSHUGSHUGSHUGSHUGS)))
i love to drive too!!! =)
I am scared to drive on the turnpike/toll roads. I have never done it. I am 30
I still hate driving. One of the reasons I am reluctant to move is because I would have to drive in a strange place.