Don't Feed the Bugbear - Get Over Your Fears
With Halloween approaching and Halloween decorations everywhere, I am reminded of a fear I have. While I can watch zombie movies and sleep like a baby, I have a hard time with haunted houses. I'm pretty sure this was because I was lost in one as a kid (or at least it felt that way). I think I was 8 years old. I had taken about five steps into the haunted house and barely turned a corner when I became so frightened that I turned around and ran out of the front door. Every year I ask myself if my feelings about haunted houses are worth overcoming. And, every year I tell myself that it is a good thing that I'm afraid of people jumping out at me in the dark...this is healthy. But, I still wonder if I should try to get over it. Fears and phobias are strange things and can develop overnight. Normal fears can actually be healthy and help protect you from danger. Phobias, on the other hand, generally are not and are often excessive, irrational, and get in the way of normal l...