Comments on: Guest Post - The Obstacles In Your Path by Joanna Young http://middlezonemusings.com/guest-post-the-obstacles-in-your-path/ It's about lessons learned... from life! Thu, 04 Dec 2008 06:07:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Jeanne Dininni http://middlezonemusings.com/guest-post-the-obstacles-in-your-path/#comment-6931 Jeanne Dininni Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:58:36 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/?p=1611#comment-6931 Joanna, Thoroughly enjoyed your guest post -- and all the others! And I think you're right about the reason for the "rip-roaring success" of MZM and WILF! Jeanne Joanna,

Thoroughly enjoyed your guest post — and all the others! And I think you’re right about the reason for the “rip-roaring success” of MZM and WILF!

Jeanne

]]> By: Joanna Young http://middlezonemusings.com/guest-post-the-obstacles-in-your-path/#comment-6891 Joanna Young Tue, 05 Aug 2008 07:52:12 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/?p=1611#comment-6891 Jeanne, "We have so much to learn about ourselves — and obstacles make such wonderful teachers!" Indeed. I think that helps to explain the rip-roaring success of What I Learned From, and the Middle Zone. Thanks for your thoughtful contribution to the conversation here. It's been fun hosting it. Joanna Jeanne, “We have so much to learn about ourselves — and obstacles make such wonderful teachers!” Indeed. I think that helps to explain the rip-roaring success of What I Learned From, and the Middle Zone.

Thanks for your thoughtful contribution to the conversation here. It’s been fun hosting it.

Joanna

]]> By: Jeanne Dininni http://middlezonemusings.com/guest-post-the-obstacles-in-your-path/#comment-6888 Jeanne Dininni Tue, 05 Aug 2008 01:32:02 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/?p=1611#comment-6888 Wonderful post, Joanna! How true it is that many of our obstacles inspire real fear in us. Sometimes we force ourselves to overcome that fear, as you did, and forge ahead, calling it <i>courage</i> -- and indeed it <i>is</i>. (Of course, there will always be those who would call it <i>rashness</i> or <i>foolhardiness</i>. It's all a matter of perspective -- or perhaps of <i>results</i>.) Other times, we think better of it, abandon our plans, and call it <i>caution</i> -- or <i>survival instinct</i>. (Yet, some might prefer to call it <i>cowardice</i> -- and others, <i>the better part of wisdom</i>.) Perhaps it can really be <i>all</i> these things at different times -- or maybe even a little of each at the <i>same</i> time. Only <i>we</i> can really decide which name applies for <i>us</i> in a given situation -- or at a given moment in time. Some of us do tend to be more cautious and some more adventurous, by nature, though. So, I suppose it's always good to stretch ourselves and try a bit more adventure if we tend to be naturally cautious, or try looking before we leap if we tend to be overly adventurous. We have so much to learn about ourselves -- and obstacles make such wonderful teachers! Thanks for sharing this thought-provoking experience! Jeanne Wonderful post, Joanna!

How true it is that many of our obstacles inspire real fear in us. Sometimes we force ourselves to overcome that fear, as you did, and forge ahead, calling it courage — and indeed it is. (Of course, there will always be those who would call it rashness or foolhardiness. It’s all a matter of perspective — or perhaps of results.)

Other times, we think better of it, abandon our plans, and call it caution — or survival instinct. (Yet, some might prefer to call it cowardice — and others, the better part of wisdom.) Perhaps it can really be all these things at different times — or maybe even a little of each at the same time. Only we can really decide which name applies for us in a given situation — or at a given moment in time.

Some of us do tend to be more cautious and some more adventurous, by nature, though. So, I suppose it’s always good to stretch ourselves and try a bit more adventure if we tend to be naturally cautious, or try looking before we leap if we tend to be overly adventurous. We have so much to learn about ourselves — and obstacles make such wonderful teachers!

Thanks for sharing this thought-provoking experience!

Jeanne

]]> By: Joanna Young http://middlezonemusings.com/guest-post-the-obstacles-in-your-path/#comment-6882 Joanna Young Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:27:06 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/?p=1611#comment-6882 Robert, it was my pleasure. We had some great conversations when you were away - though they weren't as much fun as when you're here! Joanna Robert, it was my pleasure. We had some great conversations when you were away - though they weren’t as much fun as when you’re here!

Joanna

]]> By: Robert Hruzek http://middlezonemusings.com/guest-post-the-obstacles-in-your-path/#comment-6875 Robert Hruzek Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:27:18 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/?p=1611#comment-6875 Joanna, thanks so much for contributing to the community here at the Middle Zone while I was away. Your friendship and help mean a lot to me. Great post, and better yet - great discussion! Thanks to everyone for making Joanna welcome! Joanna, thanks so much for contributing to the community here at the Middle Zone while I was away. Your friendship and help mean a lot to me. Great post, and better yet - great discussion!

Thanks to everyone for making Joanna welcome!

]]> By: Joanna Young http://middlezonemusings.com/guest-post-the-obstacles-in-your-path/#comment-6864 Joanna Young Sun, 03 Aug 2008 08:24:49 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/?p=1611#comment-6864 Jean, I'm glad you enjoyed the post. It's good to have someone you trust enough to share those wild but extremely vivid irrational fears with - sometimes even the act of saying them out loud can be enough to shrink them back down to a proper size. If you ever find a cure for conjuring up the worries in the first place please do let me know! Brad, I am very much at home outdoors but have always (up till now) lived in a very urban environment. I'm hoping that I'll enjoy living in the countryside as much as I do visiting - fingers crossed! Joanna Youngs last blog post..<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ConfidentWriting/~3/351466017/guest-post-at-t.html" rel="nofollow">Guest Post At The Middle Zone</a> Jean, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. It’s good to have someone you trust enough to share those wild but extremely vivid irrational fears with - sometimes even the act of saying them out loud can be enough to shrink them back down to a proper size. If you ever find a cure for conjuring up the worries in the first place please do let me know!

Brad, I am very much at home outdoors but have always (up till now) lived in a very urban environment. I’m hoping that I’ll enjoy living in the countryside as much as I do visiting - fingers crossed!

Joanna Youngs last blog post..Guest Post At The Middle Zone

]]> By: Jean Browman--Transforming Stress http://middlezonemusings.com/guest-post-the-obstacles-in-your-path/#comment-6862 Jean Browman--Transforming Stress Sun, 03 Aug 2008 06:22:36 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/?p=1611#comment-6862 Oops..."any" should have been "anything". It's too late at night! Jean Browman--Transforming Stresss last blog post..<a href="http://stresstopower.com/blog/2008/08/03/commitment-and-practice/" rel="nofollow">Commitment and Practice</a> Oops…”any” should have been “anything”. It’s too late at night!

Jean Browman–Transforming Stresss last blog post..Commitment and Practice

]]> By: Jean Browman--Transforming Stress http://middlezonemusings.com/guest-post-the-obstacles-in-your-path/#comment-6861 Jean Browman--Transforming Stress Sun, 03 Aug 2008 06:21:12 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/?p=1611#comment-6861 Joanna, Great post! I tend to be a worrier, and mostly I can tell when I'm overreacting. My husband is a great second pair of eyes. I tell him my irrational fears and we have a good laugh. Of course, I also worry about what I will do if any happens to him..... :) Jean Browman--Transforming Stresss last blog post..<a href="http://stresstopower.com/blog/2008/08/03/commitment-and-practice/" rel="nofollow">Commitment and Practice</a> Joanna,
Great post! I tend to be a worrier, and mostly I can tell when I’m overreacting. My husband is a great second pair of eyes. I tell him my irrational fears and we have a good laugh. Of course, I also worry about what I will do if any happens to him….. :)
Jean Browman–Transforming Stresss last blog post..Commitment and Practice

]]> By: Brad Shorr http://middlezonemusings.com/guest-post-the-obstacles-in-your-path/#comment-6854 Brad Shorr Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:50:42 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/?p=1611#comment-6854 Ulla, Fear of ladders? I can relate. Two rungs up and I break into a cold sweat. Which is weird, because I lived in Colorado for a time and love driving through mountain passes at high speed. Doesn't bother me a bit. I guess our individual combination of fears are all rather unique. Joanna, for some reason I figured you for a country lass. You seem so at home outdoors! Brad Shorrs last blog post..<a href="http://www.wordsellinc.com/blog/copywriting/guest-post-on-drews-marketing-minute/" rel="nofollow">Guest Post on Drew’s Marketing Minute</a> Ulla, Fear of ladders? I can relate. Two rungs up and I break into a cold sweat. Which is weird, because I lived in Colorado for a time and love driving through mountain passes at high speed. Doesn’t bother me a bit. I guess our individual combination of fears are all rather unique. Joanna, for some reason I figured you for a country lass. You seem so at home outdoors!

Brad Shorrs last blog post..Guest Post on Drew’s Marketing Minute

]]> By: Joanna Young http://middlezonemusings.com/guest-post-the-obstacles-in-your-path/#comment-6846 Joanna Young Fri, 01 Aug 2008 08:04:36 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/?p=1611#comment-6846 Goodness Janice, I'm glad you didn't try and fly! I think we have a different set of reactions to fear when we're already a long way in - we've invested that time, the effort, the climb, then there's the desire to achieve the goal, the not wanting to back down... or lose face! It seems to warp our normal perspective - for good or ill... I'm glad you got your shots anyway! Ulla, it doesn't sound strange at all. I'm not too good with heights either. I'm wondering if there are any other fears that are going on alongside the positive self talk - I know I'd also be imagining myself falling off, wondering how I'd crawl to the phone for help... or expecting the bulb to shatter and cut my hand, or the electrics to go "bang!!!" when I put the bulb in. A vivid imagination can definitely exaggerate our fears. I hope you get some satisfaction from knowing you can do these things on your own though. Karen, you are inspirational at keeping on going :-) I'm laughing at this "even a I am charging through obstacles I question my sanity". Isn't it odd how we can detach from the situation, shaking our heads sadly, at the same time as being right in thick of things? Joanna Joanna Youngs last blog post..<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ConfidentWriting/~3/351466017/guest-post-at-t.html" rel="nofollow">Guest Post At The Middle Zone</a> Goodness Janice, I’m glad you didn’t try and fly! I think we have a different set of reactions to fear when we’re already a long way in - we’ve invested that time, the effort, the climb, then there’s the desire to achieve the goal, the not wanting to back down… or lose face! It seems to warp our normal perspective - for good or ill… I’m glad you got your shots anyway!

Ulla, it doesn’t sound strange at all. I’m not too good with heights either. I’m wondering if there are any other fears that are going on alongside the positive self talk - I know I’d also be imagining myself falling off, wondering how I’d crawl to the phone for help… or expecting the bulb to shatter and cut my hand, or the electrics to go “bang!!!” when I put the bulb in. A vivid imagination can definitely exaggerate our fears. I hope you get some satisfaction from knowing you can do these things on your own though.

Karen, you are inspirational at keeping on going :-) I’m laughing at this “even a I am charging through obstacles I question my sanity”. Isn’t it odd how we can detach from the situation, shaking our heads sadly, at the same time as being right in thick of things?

Joanna

Joanna Youngs last blog post..Guest Post At The Middle Zone

]]> By: Karen Swim http://middlezonemusings.com/guest-post-the-obstacles-in-your-path/#comment-6844 Karen Swim Thu, 31 Jul 2008 21:56:24 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/?p=1611#comment-6844 Joanna, what an awesome story. I had to stop laughing before I could type my comment. "I stuff it into my bag. Is that waving a red rag in bull speak?"- I was cautiously moving along the trail with you, feeling what you were feeling and then burst into laughter at that line! I would have forged on as well. I tend to keep going and even as I am charging through obstacles I question my sanity. This story is a keeper! Karen Swims last blog post..<a href="http://wordsforhirellc.com/blog/index.php/2008/07/the-ebb-and-flow-of-life/" rel="nofollow">The Ebb and Flow of Life</a> Joanna, what an awesome story. I had to stop laughing before I could type my comment. “I stuff it into my bag. Is that waving a red rag in bull speak?”- I was cautiously moving along the trail with you, feeling what you were feeling and then burst into laughter at that line!

I would have forged on as well. I tend to keep going and even as I am charging through obstacles I question my sanity. This story is a keeper!

Karen Swims last blog post..The Ebb and Flow of Life

]]> By: Ulla Hennig http://middlezonemusings.com/guest-post-the-obstacles-in-your-path/#comment-6843 Ulla Hennig Thu, 31 Jul 2008 19:32:47 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/?p=1611#comment-6843 Brad and Joanna, I was also brought up to be far too cautious - especially regarding technical or practical things. I am not afraid to deal with the computer (although it took some time to reach that attitude), but I am definitely afraid to step up a ladder and change - bulbs. I am not very good at climbing up ladders - have difficulties with my sense of balance. Up to the last year my husband would change bulbs. Well, I am alone now, nobody will change them for me. In my flat, bulbs tend to go dead during wintertime (I don't know why, but during November or December or January, they went dead regularly). It's dark outside. It is dark in the flat. I've got to do something. I fetch the ladder. I tell myself "You can do it". I climb up the ladder. I reach the dead bulb. I get it off. I get down slowly, step by step. I fetch the new one. Up I go again, hoping that I will get it in without problem. I am afraid of falling off the ladder. I get the new bulb in. I step down and try - light goes on! Deep sigh - I finally made it! I hope I don't sound too strange - I am definitely not going round the bench. But that's my kind of fear... Ulla Ulla Hennigs last blog post..<a href="http://ullahennig.wordpress.com/2008/07/31/a-tree-with-character/" rel="nofollow">A Tree with Character</a> Brad and Joanna,
I was also brought up to be far too cautious - especially regarding technical or practical things. I am not afraid to deal with the computer (although it took some time to reach that attitude), but I am definitely afraid to step up a ladder and change - bulbs. I am not very good at climbing up ladders - have difficulties with my sense of balance. Up to the last year my husband would change bulbs. Well, I am alone now, nobody will change them for me. In my flat, bulbs tend to go dead during wintertime (I don’t know why, but during November or December or January, they went dead regularly). It’s dark outside. It is dark in the flat. I’ve got to do something. I fetch the ladder. I tell myself “You can do it”. I climb up the ladder. I reach the dead bulb. I get it off. I get down slowly, step by step. I fetch the new one. Up I go again, hoping that I will get it in without problem. I am afraid of falling off the ladder. I get the new bulb in. I step down and try - light goes on! Deep sigh - I finally made it!
I hope I don’t sound too strange - I am definitely not going round the bench. But that’s my kind of fear…
Ulla

Ulla Hennigs last blog post..A Tree with Character

]]> By: Janice Cartier http://middlezonemusings.com/guest-post-the-obstacles-in-your-path/#comment-6841 Janice Cartier Thu, 31 Jul 2008 19:01:54 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/?p=1611#comment-6841 Joanna, I was charging up the metal steps inside an antique stone belltower with a photo companion once, enthusiasm and camera in hand. We were thoroughly convinced WE would have the shots no one else in our group would have. We'd talked the keeper into letting us in hadn't we? It was not usually permitted. Dean was perfect for this kind of subtrafuge, his dad was a Music Legend, he was used to extraordinary, and me, well, I am the person most likely to have a back stage pass. Do not get between me and a view I really, really want...however it was about 2/3 of the way up these steps , that my shaking knees reminded me of my fear of heights. Not being up in the air or anything, it is specific to the kinds of stairs or the balcony, elevator, precipice I am on. Real dizziness ensues, and the strange desire to just jump and see if I CAN fly. I know sick, but here I m in the belltower and Dean, dam his butt, is scurrying up faster than a squirrel up a tree. Stop or no stop? Well, I would love to say I went all the way up....but I just climbed part way out onto a roof, until my knees quit shaking. Then muscled up one more flight. He got a little higher than me, but my shots were pretty spectacular too. And no, I cannot actually fly. But I try not to let that get in my way. Joanna,
I was charging up the metal steps inside an antique stone belltower with a photo companion once, enthusiasm and camera in hand. We were thoroughly convinced WE would have the shots no one else in our group would have. We’d talked the keeper into letting us in hadn’t we? It was not usually permitted. Dean was perfect for this kind of subtrafuge, his dad was a Music Legend, he was used to extraordinary, and me, well, I am the person most likely to have a back stage pass. Do not get between me and a view I really, really want…however it was about 2/3 of the way up these steps , that my shaking knees reminded me of my fear of heights. Not being up in the air or anything, it is specific to the kinds of stairs or the balcony, elevator, precipice I am on. Real dizziness ensues, and the strange desire to just jump and see if I CAN fly. I know sick, but here I m in the belltower and Dean, dam his butt, is scurrying up faster than a squirrel up a tree. Stop or no stop? Well, I would love to say I went all the way up….but I just climbed part way out onto a roof, until my knees quit shaking. Then muscled up one more flight. He got a little higher than me, but my shots were pretty spectacular too. And no, I cannot actually fly. But I try not to let that get in my way.

]]> By: Joanna Young http://middlezonemusings.com/guest-post-the-obstacles-in-your-path/#comment-6840 Joanna Young Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:24:26 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/?p=1611#comment-6840 Brad, I think I was brought up to be far too cautious, which means most things seemed - or still seem - unnecessarily scary to me. Being brought up in the city also means that 'wild' animals (like cows) were totally alien and therefore terrifying. Your words remind me of some of your own great stories including the one that broke all our hearts about that poor robin! Joanna Joanna Youngs last blog post..<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ConfidentWriting/~3/351466017/guest-post-at-t.html" rel="nofollow">Guest Post At The Middle Zone</a> Brad, I think I was brought up to be far too cautious, which means most things seemed - or still seem - unnecessarily scary to me. Being brought up in the city also means that ‘wild’ animals (like cows) were totally alien and therefore terrifying.

Your words remind me of some of your own great stories including the one that broke all our hearts about that poor robin!

Joanna

Joanna Youngs last blog post..Guest Post At The Middle Zone

]]> By: Brad Shorr http://middlezonemusings.com/guest-post-the-obstacles-in-your-path/#comment-6839 Brad Shorr Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:33:32 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/?p=1611#comment-6839 Hi Joanna! It's the old "fight or flight" dilemma. You did a great job of describing how it feels. I think each of us has a different dividing line between fearty and reckless. I mean, what I think of as bold, you might think of as prudent. As a child, were you ever drawn into situations you thought were dangerous because your friends were more fearless than you? It happened to me a few times - not a comfortable feeling! Brad Shorrs last blog post..<a href="http://www.wordsellinc.com/blog/copywriting/5-simple-storytelling-techiques/" rel="nofollow">5 Simple Storytelling Techiques</a> Hi Joanna! It’s the old “fight or flight” dilemma. You did a great job of describing how it feels. I think each of us has a different dividing line between fearty and reckless. I mean, what I think of as bold, you might think of as prudent. As a child, were you ever drawn into situations you thought were dangerous because your friends were more fearless than you? It happened to me a few times - not a comfortable feeling!

Brad Shorrs last blog post..5 Simple Storytelling Techiques

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