(no subject)
It’s strange how childhood fears can take hold even through adulthood. I don’t know how many of you have been to Burlington Art Centre (BAC), regardless there is a huge tree in the middle of their green house. I’m not sure what type of tree it is but it has magnificent cream coloured bell-shaped blooms that are seemingly always in season. When I was first introduced to the plant I was so captivated by its beauty I had an irrefutable urge to reach out and touch the flowers silky smooth surface. Suddenly my friend who was a couple of years older then myself yelled out, “DON’T TOUCH THAT! IT’S POISION!” As I swung around to look at my friend I noticed a sign perched in the soil beside the tree. It was a white plastic sign with black writing. Above the writing was a picture of a person and a dog with a black thick sold line diagonally though both of them. For a long while after that day I watched my hands intently to insure that no disease had developed. Nothing happened to me of course, but even still I was to afraid to go into the green house for months after.
Last Wednesday I started taking sketching classes at BAC. During our break I wondered into the green house. I stopped in front of the tree and read the sign. “Do not let young children or pets come in contact with the blooms or the seeds of this tree. May cause rashes.” I hadn’t recalled my childhood episode until I looked directly up at a bloom. I was so over come with fear I immediately stepped back. I felt as though I was on the edge of a cliff about to plummet to my death. I was extremely afraid of a flower blossom that now, had no potential threat to me what-so-ever.
It just seems so strange to me that we can hold on to our fears for so long. It makes me wonder what other pent up fears we maybe caring around that has no relevance any longer. Maybe the fear of public speaking? After one bad experience we panic and avoid it at all costs. Maybe the opposite sex? We get shut down or dumped and as a result we ourselves shut down. Why give so much power to something that has no physical control or consequence to us?
Next time you get scared, worried, anxious or any other negative emotional reaction, stop and think, “Why am I feeling this? Am I over reacting?” Maybe then we can stop focusing on the, ‘I can’ts’ and, instead, experience life.
