Imagination’s a funny thing

But this is how you train for life.

My brother’s on vacation and I’m on dog duty with his four-legged companion Retro. Being the stellar pet-sitter that I am, I’m treating Retro to extra-long walks. What I didn’t expect was for a casual street side meander to lead me to fear in the forest.

I got a bit turned around in a neighbourhood I’m not familiar with and while I’m hardly the North Star of directions on the best of days (throw in the darkness of night, and you've got yourself a directional disaster), I live for the moments to flex my problem-solving muscles and navigate without technological crutches.

With a spark of adventure in my heart and curiosity as my compass, I found a trail entrance that I knew would eventually meet up with the ravine paths behind my house. And so I ventured into the woods to find my way home (cue overactive imagination here - I won’t pretend I’m not scared of the dark).

50 meters in, and rationality battled fear - there was no stopping the wild scenarios running through my mind. I was convinced the worst side of men was waiting to jump out at me from behind the trees and Retro wasn't exactly a guard dog in the making.

Was I being followed? Should I look back? What if there actually was someone there when I turned around? Maybe if I don’t see them they won’t do anything.

My step quickened. I fiddled around in my pocket for keys that weren’t there. It’s okay, just breathe in for four, and breathe out for four. Relish the fresh pine scent, it’s so good. 

Even with the conscious awareness that my anxieties were unfounded, those 10 minutes in the woods felt like an eternity. Emerging to the comforting glow of streetlights was relief of the next level. Safe.

Why did I willingly go somewhere I knew I’d be scared? Because I didn’t want where I could go to be limited by the narrative that darkness isn’t safe. I’ve experienced enough times that the light created from the most significant “level ups” comes first by moving through the dark.

Was this nighttime walk a profound experience that changed me at my core? Nah. But the takeaway is still important: Confronting the shadows born from our imagination is where we get to step beyond our limitations. If we can do it when we know the fear is unfounded, then we can do it when it isn’t.

This is how you train for life. 

Until the next adventure,

Your fellow possibility-maker (Kate)

P.S. If you desire to build more courage to go deeper in to your life and discover the gifts, lessons and joys that come from fearlessly be-friending all that breathing life in to your lungs has to offer, then this painting is for you. No darkness needed.