A to Z Challenge 2016 · comfort zone · fear · Uncategorized

U = underground…

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Have you ever been U2016nderground?

I have.
But only in U2016nderground places where I could see aboveground.
I am okay in basements with windows but not cellars.
I can handle driving through a mountain tunnel but
I do worry about accidents and traffic tie-ups and avalanches.
I have been in a cave but went only as far as the natural light went,
when I could no longer see the cave opening I turned around.
I have never been in a subway and think it would take some very
convincing talk to get me into any U2016nderground traveling vehicle.

Other than the above-mentioned U2016nderground scenarios
being buried is not a concern of mine.
Oh, I know it will happen someday.

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But when it comes time to bury me
I’ll already be gone from this worldly place
and living in a heavenly place.

That’s my post for the letter
U2016

A2Z-BADGE 2016-smaller_zpslstazvib

A to Z Challenge 2015 · fear

O=”o”phobias…

A to Z Challenge
letter today is
o4pThere are a lot of phobias and some of them start with O.
Here are some of them:

  • Osmophobia…fear of smells or odors
  • Onomatophobia…fear of hearing a certain word or of names
  • Optophobia…fear of opening one’s eyes
  • Ophthalmophobia…fear of being stared at

I can sort of understand those phobias.

Then there is this one. I don’t understand what it means

  • Orthophobia…fear of property

This one is funny to me, but I am sure not funny to someone who has it:

Omphalophobia…fear of belly buttons

This one is kind of a mystery to me

Ouranophobia…fear of heaven

Some phobias are amusing to those of us that don’t suffer from them.
I am not making fun of anyone with a phobia.
I have had to deal with a phobia so I know how awful it can be.

file4781300045861 I was embarrassed to talk about my phobia and when I did people often laughed
It became so bad  I was almost paralyzed by it.
I finally got some professional help and with time and hard work
I have, for the most part, overcome it.
I understand the whys and whats of my phobia, but that doesn’t make it any easier.
Sometimes it rears its ugly phobia head and my heart pounds,
I break out in a cold clammy  sweat, and just want to disappear.
Having a phobia is no laughing matter.
If you are experiencing an irrational fear of something
please talk to a friend or family member you trust.
If you are embarrassed or ashamed, don’t be, you are not alone.
Like with any challenge, the first step is the hardest.
Take a deep breath and take that step.
Life is bigger and better than any phobia.

Image:morgueFile