Face Your Fear
Wow. It’s already been two weeks since the Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts (SCFWA). It has become one of my favourite events on the Sunshine Coast. I discovered SCFWA a few years ago. I never thought it would be an event for me to attend. I’ll admit it… I’m not an avid reader. I haven’t read a zillion fiction books for pleasure. Why would I ever go to SCFWA to watch authors talk about their books I have never read? So rude, I know. Hence, I never went. Out of curiosity, I bought a ticket to see what this SCFWA phenomenon is all about. Well, I’m hooked.
This year I intended to purchase a full-event pass. Last year I bought a one day pass. The year before I bought tickets to a few sessions. It seemed like a natural progression to the SCFWA awesomeness. Well, it was not meant to be. To make a long story short, I was unable to afford the ticket… money wise and time wise. I opted out. Sad, but deliberate with my decision. I needed to trudge through my academic writing. It was almost like I was punishing myself for not meeting my expectations. Looking back, I question this mindset. That weekend I needed some inspiration.
I got off my big EdD butt and away from my computer to purchase a ticket from SCFWA. Event 12 with Michael Christie intrigued me. How does a professional skateboarder become a writer? I love these kinds of stories. I am fascinated by those who are able to transform their lives into something else. Or maybe I’m just envious as I look for some answers for myself as I wander through my career choices and direction. So, I invested the $15 dollars and one-hour of my time. Michael Christie was awesome!!! He made me laugh. He made me cry. His story was so unexpected.
I understand why I love SCFWA. It’s like a UBC seminar or a moment of cognitive escapism to tap into the minds of writers who are also wrestling with their struggles and life’s lessons. I am learning. What I realized from Michael Christie’s SCFWA session is, face your fear. We can avoid it or we can tackle it. We can go big or go one step at a time. Either way, do something that scares you everyday. There are so many emotions, false beliefs, and stories about self embedded in fear that sometimes it almost seems impossible or way of life. For me, it’s Chapter 2.
This is the last thing I have to do before moving onto the next step of my dissertation journey. It’s not suppose to be a final draft. I am in a state of learning as I am doing. This is classic for the experiential, autodidactic learner. Do, reflect, assess, revise, and redo. I know this. My short term goal is to submit my newly revised chapters with my survey instrument. I’m almost done. Chapter 2 is freaking me out. I’ve accomplished so much this summer otherwise… I’ve just submitted a syllabus, a workshop outline, and survey test pilot for another study. With Chapter 2, I’m struggling.
Today, I’m going to do something that scares me… complete Chapter 2 and send.