Six years ago when I first started telling people that I was moving to China, I got all kinds of mixed reactions, but the most prominent one, was that of worry. People told me that I was crazy to move to such a dangerous place; I was only 20 years old, I didn't speak the language, and I had never been there before! But I knew what I wanted to do, and told people just that. So fears, doubts, and doubters aside, I went. And as you all know, I fell head over heels in love with the country, and would name it as one of the best decisions of my life.
This post is about fear, and not letting it control your life. We have such a short time on this earth, that if we don't do certain things just because of fear, then we WILL miss out on so much!
This post is about fear, and not letting it control your life. We have such a short time on this earth, that if we don't do certain things just because of fear, then we WILL miss out on so much!
No, I'm not talking about this kind of fear hehe.
The reason I wanted to talk about fear today, is because apparently, I picked a very bad time to visit China! All the panic about North Korea has been surfacing lately, and I have a 17 hour layover in South Korea, and am going to try to venture outside of the airport to explore! And just this morning, my Uncle was telling me about the new outbreak of Bird Flu in China! It has JUST surfaced about a week ago, and has killed a couple of people already.
So with all of this ringing in my head, and people telling me they can't believe I'm going to go there, I have two options; 1. Go. 2. Stay home. And I think all of you know that I am choosing option number 1. You might think I'm crazy, you probably do! But that dosen't bother me. What WOULD bother me, is sitting in Ohio the rest of my life, never going anywhere, never doing anything, because I am so completely paralyzed by fear. Yes, of course I am a bit anxious about the bird flu. Yes, I am a little worried about exploring South Korea by myself (especially not knowing the language), and yes, I usually get a little nervous about flying, but I am NOT going to let my worries and fears stop me from doing what I want to do!!! And you shouldn't either!
So with all of this ringing in my head, and people telling me they can't believe I'm going to go there, I have two options; 1. Go. 2. Stay home. And I think all of you know that I am choosing option number 1. You might think I'm crazy, you probably do! But that dosen't bother me. What WOULD bother me, is sitting in Ohio the rest of my life, never going anywhere, never doing anything, because I am so completely paralyzed by fear. Yes, of course I am a bit anxious about the bird flu. Yes, I am a little worried about exploring South Korea by myself (especially not knowing the language), and yes, I usually get a little nervous about flying, but I am NOT going to let my worries and fears stop me from doing what I want to do!!! And you shouldn't either!
I am not saying that when you push through your fears, and live out your dreams, that scary stuff won't happen to you. IT WILL! For example; When I moved to China, I got stranded in Beijing! My flight from Chicago got delayed, so I missed my connecting flight from Beijing to Xi'an (the city I was moving to), and couldn't get a flight out of Beijing until the next day! I did not know the language, had never even BEEN to China before, and I had to somehow find a hotel, transport myself, and all my belongings I was moving with, to that hotel, and then make it back to the airport in the morning to catch my flight. I was TERRIFIED. But somehow, and to this day I don't even know how, but somehow, I managed to do all of that. Was I completely scared out of my mind? Yes, I was! But when situations like that happen, it shows you exactly what kind of a person you are, and thanks to that scary situation, and plenty of others, I know how strong of a person I am, and I love it!
During my time in China I also survived an earthquake, had a man try to force his way into
my apartment, and was living there when the Swine Flu outbreak hit China. All of these things, and more, I survived. They were terrifying, and several times I thought I was going to die, but I survived. That is what I'm trying to say here. Fear is a part of life. Scary, life-threatening situations, are a part of life! Whether you go backpacking across Europe, or stay sitting in your house doing nothing, bad things can happen! So why not go out and enjoy life?!!
During my time in China I also survived an earthquake, had a man try to force his way into
my apartment, and was living there when the Swine Flu outbreak hit China. All of these things, and more, I survived. They were terrifying, and several times I thought I was going to die, but I survived. That is what I'm trying to say here. Fear is a part of life. Scary, life-threatening situations, are a part of life! Whether you go backpacking across Europe, or stay sitting in your house doing nothing, bad things can happen! So why not go out and enjoy life?!!
After the May 2008 earthquake hit China, people (including me) slept outside because the aftershocks were so bad
Now, after saying all that, I do not want you to use this as an excuse to go out and be stupid! You HAVE to use common sense! You HAVE to be smart and be careful! Know your limits! Do research before you go and do something! This world IS a VERY scary and dangerous place! So do NOT go out into it thinking that you are invincible and nothing can happen to you! It CAN and it WILL! You just have to be prepared as much as you are able to!
It may seem like I just go out and do whatever I want to, not worrying about what could happen, but that's not true! I try to be as prepared, and safe, as possible! I always do research before going anywhere, so I know kind of what to expect. It also helps to know some self defense, or even just common sense, quick thinking, and the willingness to stand up for yourself (when a man tried to break into my apartment, he followed me up to my apartment, and when I went inside and tried to close the door, he stuck his foot in the door and then tried to push it open. I let go of the door, letting it open, shoved him as hard as I could, and when he stumbled backwards, closed and locked the door). Sometimes you just need to have faith in yourself (and carrying a pair of brass knuckles [like I started doing after that], helps too!:P)
It may seem like I just go out and do whatever I want to, not worrying about what could happen, but that's not true! I try to be as prepared, and safe, as possible! I always do research before going anywhere, so I know kind of what to expect. It also helps to know some self defense, or even just common sense, quick thinking, and the willingness to stand up for yourself (when a man tried to break into my apartment, he followed me up to my apartment, and when I went inside and tried to close the door, he stuck his foot in the door and then tried to push it open. I let go of the door, letting it open, shoved him as hard as I could, and when he stumbled backwards, closed and locked the door). Sometimes you just need to have faith in yourself (and carrying a pair of brass knuckles [like I started doing after that], helps too!:P)
The face mask I wore to protect myself during the swine flu epidemic
If I had listened to my fears, and the fears of others(!), I would have NEVER gone to China! I would have just stayed in Ohio my whole life, feeling bored and restless! I never would have discovered my passion for the Chinese language, and for the country of China! I would have never got to work in an orphanage, visit The Great Wall of China, modeled, rode a horse up the side of a mountain, or seen the Olympic torch being passed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics! I definitely wouldn't have traveled to 15 different countries! And lastly, if I would have let fear run my life, I would never had experienced the freedom, joy, love, friendship, and LIFE that most people can only dream about!!!
The 2008 Beijing Olympics passing of the ceremonial torch! The man standing in the middle of the road was the one receiving the torch
I want all of that to inspire you. What I want you to do right now, is get out a piece of paper, and write down this ONE question.
1. What do I want to do SO BAD, but haven't, because of fear?
Now answer it. Sit and think. If fear were not an option, what would you want to do? Write down your answers.
Next, I want you to take a good look at your answer.
Now GO DO IT!!!
1. What do I want to do SO BAD, but haven't, because of fear?
Now answer it. Sit and think. If fear were not an option, what would you want to do? Write down your answers.
Next, I want you to take a good look at your answer.
Now GO DO IT!!!
*Please let me know what your answers are! I would looove to see them! Leave them in a comment below!
Peace Love and Courage
Jess <3
