Aug 03, 2016 I have always felt a bit panicky about video cameras, and the concept of being live on air was terrifying. Which is how I knew that I had to do this. Whenever I have a feeling of deep unease about doing something, I ask myself, do I have this feeling because it isn’t aligned with my values? Is it a true hunch that this is a bad idea? If the answer is no to both, then I know the urge to run away is just fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of failure. Fear of becoming a viral internet phenomenon (“girl sets fire to dress while making granola on TV; girl runs around fiery studio naked with spatula”). Which is how I know it is an opportunity for personal growth. I love the chapter on fear in the book I’ve recommended to you in the past, Big Magic: Creative Living Without Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert, which I’m not going paraphrase well (it’s been months since I read it), but I’ll share what I took away from it: Fear is always present. It is a part of every new thing, every step outside our comfort zone. The more you resist it or try to make it go away, the stronger and louder and more insistent it becomes. So instead of fighting it, make peace with it. Accept that it will be there, as part of you, on every single adventure. Invite it along for the ride. Let it have a voice, but don’t give it a vote. Allow it to be a passenger, but don’t let it drive. I was super nervous and lost sleep over the first segment. Then the second and third ones were a breeze in comparison. No fires, no accidental nudity, not even spilled granola. #win. Do you have anything you’d like to do but fear is holding you back? I made this buttermilk apricot cake for a trip to a friend’s house several weekends ago. It is very tender, with sweet, ripe apricot halves and tangy buttermilk. The splash of almond extract in the batter really sets off the flavours. I love baking with apricots. They slump into jammy puddles and have the most wonderful smooth texture. Divine. Before I leave you with the recipe, can we just circle back to my pity party for a sec? I am currently accepting any and all forms of sympathy. Hugs, chocolate, even an “aww, muffin” would go a long way. Thanks. 🙂
