Thanks Jason, for getting me back on track with relating some of my stories with what I have learned from this program :) Just a brief background of what's kept me from getting chickens for the past 11 years. I would read about them and use "fear goggles" from Session 2. I thought about every negative thing that could go wrong. And, the "what if's", what if one of them gets egg bound, what if a predator gets them, and on and on. I always thought it was more of a future dream, when we retire, I'll do this and I'll do that, avoidance??? By posting about chickens, people came up with great ideas that I've never thought of before. I always pictured having a half dozen birds or 8 or a dozen. Davit, came up with the idea of getting 4 hens, and if you have to leave, put them in a dog carrier and take them with you. I never thought of that. Four is manageable. I made my future dream a present reality. In general, replacing negative thoughts with positive thoughts. I'm thinking, what if this goes well, what if this is fun, etc. I decided to take a risk. I've found that taking risks, despite fearing the unknown, is how you enjoy life. Had I not gone to Florida, I would not have known that I love snakes. You can miss out on great surprises. I think I've spent most of my life sitting on the side lines, watching the world go by. I am finding it's more fun to participate. I also was a perfectionist and feared making a mistake. I found out if you make a mistake, the whole world doesn't fall off of it's axis. With the coping skills I've learned, just like I don't fear panic attacks anymore, I don't fear having chickens. If something goes wrong, I can handle it. If they get egg bound, I know what to do. And, if I don't, I can take them to a farm vet. I believe that getting them will benefit me more and far outweigh the negative. I trust myself now. Also, I used to be very impulsive and would leap before I looked, then I went from that side of the pendulum to the complete other side and didn't do anything. Now, I am balanced. That's whats helped me in working through this program. Thanks everyone, for I wouldn't be where I am today without your ideas, help, and support.
