Reflecting on & overcoming fear, and joy
~Aiden LaCamera, Class of 2022
Don’t give in to your fears. If you do,
~Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
you won’t be able to talk to your heart.
It was Sunday night, I was tossing and turning, throwing my pillow at the wall. I was not excited for this trip. Going to Winslow Maine for two nights with my classmates that I have never been with outside of school. This trip did not seem like it was going to be fun, it seemed awful. I learned that it was quite the opposite. It was great! The trip to Camp Caribou gave me a chance to bond with my classmates before we start an amazing school year. I learned how to find joy in the little things, reflect on events and how to overcome fear.
I find joy in doing things I have never done before. It was a sunny Tuesday afternoon. The cold Maine wind was blowing in my face as I looked down from up atop the ledge. The Pine trees blowing in the wind. I was scared and excited at the same time. I looked down at the pond, the water still as a statue. I walked to the front of the ledge and jumped. The cold wind was blowing in my face and I was zipping down the wire. I hear shouts of my classmates yelling “yeah,” and “go Aiden.” Then I hit the cold water with a splash as I felt the rush of adrenaline. Now I had the long swim back ahead of me. The joy I felt when I hit the water was amazing. I never knew that I would find joy in such a short moment. As I was floating in the water I realized. Joy doesn’t always have to be found in the big things, it can be found in the little things. It’s the small things in life that matter. No matter how you slice it, joy matters.
Reflection is under-used but can be the most powerful tool for success. The cold night wind is blowing into my face; the sound of the water splashes on the rocks while me and my classmates are all standing around the fire in silence. It was a time of reflection before we ended this great trip. I was staring at the flame looking at the blue and yellow. I looked over at my classmates. It was so calm and peaceful. After a few minutes of looking back on this amazing trip and thinking about what was to come in the future. We all were invited to share some goals for the year and who or what we are thankful for. I listened to everybody and then it was my turn. I shared about how I was thankful for my teachers and my classmates for making these past 5 years at Fenn so special. Then I said that I wanted this year to be the best possible because it is our last and we want to have no regrets. I wanted this year to be the best possible because it is our last and we want to have no regrets. This bonfire helped me understand the importance of caring about others and picking other people up with you. No matter how you put it, reflection can be the most helpful item in your life.
The only way to face your fear is to fight it. It was a chilly Wednesday morning. The Maine wind blowing in the trees. The grass is coated with a layer of water. I was climbing up the skinny telephone pole scared out of my mind, the pole swaying left and right.
More and more fear is building up in my mind. I looked up and saw this skinny telephone pole. I had never seen anything like it. I took a step onto the ladder and started to make my way up to the top. I heard the shouts of my classmates cheering me on. The pole was swaying left and right. I was terrified as I got to the top. I had no idea how I was supposed to stand up on top of it. I grabbed the rope and stood up. My legs were shaking and my mind was racing. I looked over to the bar and jumped. I was close but I missed it completely.
Although I was terrified of the telephone pole. I learned that the only way to face your fear is to do it. I realized this as I was sitting with my back against a tree. Looking up at the terrifying telephone pole. I learned that I wouldn’t have been able to face my fear without the support of my classmates.
The trip is, sadly, over, but the lessons have been learned.
