Scary

Our neighbours – new to us in the last year – recently acquired a HUGE dog. A bull mastiff to be exact. He’s only a puppy but he is gigantic already.   One day Capone will probably be 150 lbs. He’s probably at least 70 lbs right now.

 one day Capone will look like this

Capone scares me. Until recently, I haven’t really had the chance to meet him, since he usually sees me from a distance when I’m getting into or out of my car, or when I’m walking through my backyard. So, he barks. A deep, growly, throaty bark.

A couple of evenings ago, we were sitting on our deck and Capone was in his backyard. I asked my husband to come with me to the fence to meet the dog. Just so you know, I would never attempt this on my own, but I figured if hubby accompanied me (or rather, I accompanied him), and  things got out of hand, he would take on the dog and I could scamper back up to the safety of our deck! Pitiful, aren’t I?

Anyway, armed with doggie treats, Dave walked on up to the chain link fence between our properties. Capone barked loudly, obviously a little frightened, and backed away. Luckily, his owner was looking over his deck and came down. We mentioned we’d like to meet his dog. So, as soon as Scott walked up to us, Capone followed. Dave gave the pup a treat and then I did the same thing. Capone instantly jumped up, putting his two large paws on the fence railing and there we were – eye to eye!

very similar to what I saw

I know it will take a few more meetings before I am more comfortable with this massive canine. Hopefully he’ll remember the treats I brought him the first time we met, and we’ll become fast friends, despite his intimidating size.

Have you ever head the advice “Do one thing everyday that scares you”? It’s how you grow as a person, facing your fears, one step at a time. Stretching. Leaving your comfort zone.

For some people, something scary can mean leaving the house or telling someone how they really feel. For others, it can be bungee jumping or looking over the railing of an apartment on the 42nd floor. Or flying. Or quitting a job . Or leaving a bad relationship. Or trusting God. Or going eyeball to eyeball with a dog whose head is bigger than theirs. 

I admit it, I do have a few fears.  With my overactive imagination, I can paint so many scenarios of what might or could happen.  Mind you, over the years, I have done some things that truly scare me, and am glad I did.  It seems, though, that I never ‘arrive’ at that place where it becomes easy. Easier, but not easy.  Maybe that’s just the way it is. One step at a time, over and over.. Knowing that God is always with me, as I walk through.

Do you regularly make a point of doing things that scare you? Has that changed your life?