Fear as a Friend, not a Foe

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In psychology and education, there are three distinctive learning zones: comfort, stretch, and panic zone. (Of course, they are called a variety of other different names within the educational community). 

Comfort zone is the zone, in which we are the most comfortable. Everything feels right and normal. The stretch zone is the zone, in which we tend to venture outside of our comfort zone. It makes us look at life differently. We grow and heal more into our whole selves. Then, there is the panic zone; the panic zone is the zone, in which we completely try to avoid. I mean, who in their right minds would want to be in their panic zone for more than 5 seconds?! I honestly would NOT ever desire such a thing. But, I did, and I’m better because of it.

A few weeks ago, I went on a life-changing global trip to Belize. The students and I were traveling all over Belize (from the island to the jungle to the mainland). I went in the role as an instructor to connect the kids’ schema to the community of Belize; learning becomes meaningful, purposeful, and inclusive. As you may can guess, I was in for a meaningful treat as well.

Belize is a country in Central America, with a population of about 400,000 people (Belize.com, 2018). The citizens are kind, friendly, and just a breath of fresh air. The food is fresh, and the fresh juices are AMAZING! So, I’m sure you are thinking: why was I in my panic zone?

Fear is usually present anytime we face the unknown. There is no certainty or guarantee of the outcome, so anxiety can soon follow. However, in Louise Hay’s (2016) Mirror Work, she teaches that fear is present to protect us. When we are ready to move past the fear, we acknowledge it, honor it, and tell it that it is no longer needed. While I didn’t do exactly that, thank God for Louise Hay. (The late Ms. Hay is still saving lives.) However, I did do something similar.

There were a few instances in which I was in my absolute panic zone. I will mention three of them. Please note that each panic zone experience was a completely new experience for me. Right before my travels to Belize, I was still recovering from an auto-mobile accident, so I was taking things a little slower than usual.

Let’s be honest, the ocean is a beautiful place, but because of the magnitude of mother nature, it can be a source of your peace and a source of your danger. For me, the ocean usually serves as a place of healing and solace. For those who have snorkeled, you know that it involves the ocean  and some snorkeling gear. I was fitted for my snorkeling gear, and I listened to the instructions. However, I am a kinesthetic and visual learner. I need to do it while you are giving instructions for everything to internalize. Now, we were in the ocean. There was a time that I forgot to breathe, and then I started to panic internally. I realized that I was trying to breathe through my nose again, which is my natural instinct to breathing, but when you snorkel, that goes out of the window. You breathe through the snorkel. Suddenly, I started noticing that I was not breathing. Panic, Panic, Panic alert… I can’t breathe. Oh No! I am in the MIDDLE of the ocean with all of these creatures and with these waves, and I am panicking. Panic came from my fear of the unknown of what COULD happen. Then, there was a pause. I told myself, “Natasha, breathe. Look down at the beauty of the ocean, and breathe through your mouth.” Instantly, I was back in my place of solace in the middle of the ocean with tons of animals that were just living their lives.

Breathing is under-rated. It’s a free health tool that takes a few seconds, and it can literally change and/or save your life. In the face of adversity, take a moment to breathe. Be aware of your breath, and instantly feel your heart beat slow down. Your mind will eventually clear.

One of my favorite places to visit in Belize was Xunantunich. It’s such a sacred place full of Mayan ruins. When I travel, if it is possible, I enjoy visiting sacred historical sites because there is a lot to learn, to 

feel, and to see. It’s a 1 mile hike to get to the entrance of the site, and then to walk up the Castillo, it is more than 100 steps. (Note: it is not mandatory to walk up the Castillo, but the view is AMAZING.There is a guide who leads you through the Mayan ruins, and the guides are knowledgable and kind). Walking up the steps, I already decided that I was not going to go the entire way because I wasn’t sure about my body (or maybe that was an internal fear.) But, I decided to see if I could continue. I remembered my physical therapist voice, “Natasha, trust your body. You can do more than you think. It is not going to fail you or get injured.” So, I kept walking, around step #75, I started to panic again. I had on a heavy backpack, and my body was getting a little weary. This time, I’m about 70+ feet high, and people are behind me. My only logical choice was to continue. The conversation with myself went like this: “Natasha, take it one step at a time. Breathe. Trust your body. One step. There you go.” Once again, I was in the clear. My mind was clear, and I was determined to take one step at time. I MADE IT! I am about 130 feet high with a great view of Belize and Guatemala. Going back down was so much easier because the guide was very helpful in explaining the best way to return.

Overall, our self-talk determines our perspective and our body’s reactions. Choosing to speak positive and encourage myself allowed me to settle into a space of calmness, and it motivated me to continue past my anxiety. To learn more about the beauty of self-talk, take a peek at an earlier post about affirming thyself.

Being able to experience the nocturnal wild life in Belize was an exceptional experience. I don’t want to spoil the experience for anyone, but it is worthwhile. The fears for me was being in the zoo at night with minimal light and not being able to see around me if needed (All Type A fears ). Another main fear was being bitten by insects because my body does not respond well to insect bites. With my headlamp on, I was ready to explore with my guide, who was very knowledgable. At the first stop, a swarm of insects seemingly came at me, and I panicked! Completely out of my comfort zone and now in my panic zone. One of the students looked at me, smiled, and said Doc “Try putting your headlamp in your hand like this. It will be a better experience for you.” I instantly listened, and he was right. I was able to see when it was needed, and fear did not win again.

Essentially, there is an art to listening. You are listening to understand and to move forward, not listening to respond and simply retort. Sometimes, when we are moving through life, the Universe has a way of speaking to us. The message may come in various forms, but even in the midst of fear, you can choose to listen. Often, when you listen and take heed, life begins to run a little smoother, and your fear(s) soon dissipates.