I’m going to be doing a parachute jump!
There are fewer phrases I am likely to say than this, with possibly the exception of “I’m going to space”. I’ve been banned from doing cool, I mean stupidly dangerous, stuff in my life because death.
There is every chance that if I do something life limiting or threatening then my major concern will not be broken bones but the disapproval of my family. I have a ban on anything that involves falling.
So to try anything extraordinary I need to be surrounded by strangers.
The scariest moments come when I need to perform, whether it be in a amateur dramatical production or when I am being interviewed. I need the freedom of unfamiliarity to be able to be the person I need to be.
It is when I am alone I can be unafraid of the reactions of those who will see me tomorrow. With strangers I am free to act and behave as I want with no thought about dealing with the repercussions. I’m not looking for the support I’m trying to avoid the sympathy.
This may seem a bit mean, I do truly love it when I am able to do things with my family. I just don’t want them to be worried, surely it is better to not tell them about the things that would scare them?
Yet I can’t be that person, what is the point of doing the scary and stressful alone? If it was a moment of daring-do then who do can I share my memory with. If it was a performance then who do I have to boost my ego?Family can be honest (if you can take it) – friends and strangers have a habit of giving you the review they think you want to hear, partly the reason some AmDram thesps lose themselves in their own glory.
The stranger gives me the freedom to be whoever I want to be, but family gives me the confidence to be that person.
WhenΒ you do something scary or stressful β bungee jumping, public speaking, etc. β do you prefer to be surrounded by friends or by strangers? Why?
Source: Witness Protection
Especially after you become a husband and father, you’re not allowed to do anything cool – I mean dangerous! Cohiba occasionally goes on about climbing Everest, a goal he’s long had, but after we had the Wee One, I was like: never! π
LikeLike
I would totally climb Everest…but my asthma and I don’t really like all the walking upwards.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really enjoyed your response to the prompt and the angle of certain instances require strangers as witness and other incidents require friends, or family. It really is subjective. Thanks for sharing your take.
LikeLike
Thank you…I think there is no clear friends or strangers for support, both can provide the necessary in the right situation.
LikeLike