Troublemaker
Posted by Troy | Filed under Self Project
Over the past year that I’ve been learning to face my fears and discovering the lies that fuel them, I’ve also been making attempts to be more proactive in finding scary situations. So that this time around, I can run through them rather than from them.
One thing I’ve discovered through years of trials is that I am the most spiritually connected when I find myself in some sort of trouble.
Tags: fear, original illustration, self, trouble
Aurthur Fonzarelli vs. Alex P. Keaton
Posted by Troy | Filed under Self Project
When I was a kid I wanted to be The Fonz.
Who didn’t though… really?
He rode a motorcycle, lived in an over-garage apartment, was super-popular with the ladies, had enough confidence to dance and even had the power to defeat Mork in a battle of appendages (an unfortunate episode)…
and unlike most guys who ride motorcycles and live in over-garage apartments and dance and are good with “ladies,” The Fonz was actually cool.
and to top it all off he was even compassionate. He befriended the otherwise-camouflage Richie Cunningham and his neo-maxi-zoom-dweebie friends Ralph and Potsie. Fonzie’s big heart gave me hope that someone as cool might take the otherwise-camouflage me under his wing (and that I might become just as cool as a result).
But becoming Fonzie wasn’t my only vision, I was also pretty impressed with Alex P. Keaton.
Chimney Rock and the Value of Risk
Posted by Troy | Filed under Parenting, Travel
We recently visited Chimney Rock State Park, just south of Ashville, NC.
It’s a really great destination for families since they’ve added steps, boardwalks and railings to make the hiking accessible to anyone.
We kept calling Exclamation Point “Explanation Point,” which doesn’t sound nearly so awe-inspiring… but it’s worth the extra 1,000 steps or so past Devil’s Head (above)… and the hike back to ground level is really cool, with rock outcroppings and alternate views of the Chimney Rock.
A few of us still had the energy to hike the mile or so out to the 400-ft. Hickory Nut Falls… we weren’t allowed nearly as close as we’d hoped, but maybe next trip there will be fewer park rangers around…
Actually, situations like that are kind of adjusting my parenting.
Those times when I know I would jump the barrier… but don’t want my kids to.
Tags: fear, kids, original photo, Parenting, Travel
Living in the Moment
Posted by Troy | Filed under Self Project
Security is an illusion. Life is either a daring adventure or it is nothing at all. -Helen Keller
Difficult experiences have shaped me into the person I am now.
Which is mostly good.
But those things have also resulted in cynicism and fear, and despite the urges to live a meaningful life I started to believe that I needed comfort and stability and security.
and I put all my energy into pursuing that future—one with no conflict. Because my past has taught me that I don’t like pain.
So I’ve found myself incapable of living in the moment.
I don’t see the truth right in front of my face.
Tags: fear, original illustration, self
No Fear
Posted by Troy | Filed under Beer, Cancer
One of the biggest truths I’ve been learning about myself recently is how I allow fear to make my decisions.
I have a lot of fear, usually irrational feelings about the imagined trajectory of my life.
Of course, when I get a call from my doctor like the one earlier this week…
those fears are justified I think.
So at the end of a long day and dealing with a really scary phone call and imagining a really scary future…
It was nice to get this message in a bottle.
Thanks, Magic Hat.
