Courage is a tricky one to find. Sometimes, I just cannot find it. Today may be one of those days.
I am recovering from very severe health problems. The treatments changed my life in every way. One important way it changed me is mentally. I call them my mental monsters. Anxiety is one of them.
I’m the only one that drives in my house. It takes a physical and mental toll on me. Driving has become hard for me.
Today I was getting ready to take my nephew to work. Then I heard a sound that I fear the most when I’m going to drive. That sound is thunder. My anxiety starts to take over.
Where is my courage to get in that car and go? I can’t let my anxiety win. It’s just thunder and a bit of rain. How can that scare me to the point of being terrified? But, it does. It gives me the heebie-jeebies.
I go outside and sit on my swing hearing the thunder and watching it rain. My heart beats faster and my anxiety escalates. Courage will win. I can do it!
My nephew took Uber to work. I couldn’t do it. My anxiety won. My courage was defeated. I feel like a disappointment to my family. They don’t drive. They don’t understand the stress of driving in bad weather. They don’t understand how anxiety can affect your mental state when driving. I can tell you that it’s not good.
Today, I could not find my courage to drive . But, I had the courage to speak up and tell them that I can’t drive in this weather. Courage is a tricky one to find.
Courage can be lost in one way. But, it can be found in another. Don’t ever lose hope. Yes, courage is a tricky one to find.
~Rita Romero
Yes, the courage to say no can be profound.
I’m glad you took care of yourself!
I stumbled backwards a few months ago over a cement thing in a parking lot, landing on my left hip, left shoulder, and bumping my head. Although after sitting up and assessing that I was okay, I felt shaken. A kind fast food employee asked me if I needed help, I allowed her to accompany me into her nearby restaurant, where I got something to eat and called my husband to come and pick me up. Felt too anxious after the fall to drive, so I totally understand your plight. I’m 82!
Thank you, Rita, for giving me the courage to say “no” when needed.