What do you fear?

[By-Tor]

What things do you fear?



Flying:

Until recently, I was deathly afraid to fly and I actually had reoccuring nightmares for many years that I would die in a plane crash, specifically, while on-board a 747.

During this time, and over much of my career, I had a 9 to 5 and my alarm clock was always set to go off at 8:00am, but I would find myself waking up out of the blue and looking at the clock....at 7:47. This typically freaked me out.

Up until my first trip last year to Shanghai, I had only flown 3 previous times. Once in a Cessena 4 seater that had to fly in circles to build up enough altitude to clear mountains and twice on DC-10's (one to Portland, once to Vegas).

The Cessena trip was when I was fairly young and may have contributed to my fear.

The DC-10 trip to Portland was with a co-worker who flew 3 times a week for business. He was quoted after the flight as having said "This is by far the worse flight I have ever been on". I think at one point we dead-dropped 700ft. due to turpulance (sp?). This did not help my fear at all.

The third trip was to Vegas and by this time, I knew better then to get on sober. I do not remember this flight.

And then of course the 2 trips to Shanghai, where a 747 is basically your only choice (United). This freaked me out for several days leading up to the trip. But, I lived, and I suppose the rest is history as after that first trip on the 747, and not having died, my fear seemed to be instantly eliminated.

I am no longer affraid to fly.





Heights:

I have a very large fear of heights that seems to be progressing over the years.

It is not to the point that even on the second floor of a parking structure, I cannot look over the edge. I basically have to 'sneak up' on it and slide over to take a peak.

This get progressively worse the higher I get of course and for instance, if I am in a hi-rise building with those windows that extend all the way to your feet...I can not go near them. I can't even sit in a chair next to them without feeling anxious.

But, for some reason, I love roller-coasters and have no fear of any part of them, including the clank-clank-clank ride to the top. I believe that this has something to due with the fact that you are securly strapped in.

I am not sure if there is anything that I can or would ever do to eliminate this fear....other then avoiding it.





What do you fear?