I have always been ”afraid” of people.
Have faith? It’s been a practice for me.
Years ago, I was diagnosed by a very well-meaning person as having “social anxiety disorder”. It was very difficult for me to meet new people, extend myself, be in unfamiliar surroundings. My heart would pound and I would think of reasons not to – – – not to meet someone, not to go somewhere, not to do something new.
Many times I would receive an invitation to do something cool and new, and accept, then as the day drew near, the anxiety would start and I would find a way to back out. I missed a cool float trip in junior high, and a great high school ski trip that my classmates still talk about all these years later.
Neighbors would move in, then move out – – without me ever having met them. I missed being a room mother at my son’s school, and I wonder about many friendships I could have enjoyed, had I not been anxious. I realize that I had wrapped the label of “social anxiety disorder” around myself like a blanket, and the more I avoided people and situations, the more fearful I became. (I think I know where this came from, but that’s a story for another day.)
My MKE
Then I joined the 2014 the Master Key Experience (MKE) class. One of the first objectives of the MKE course is to write a short definite major purpose (DMP). In that first year, I never completed my DMP so I didn’t have the MKE projects that followed either (such as the movie trailer poster and all the things that cascade from that) and I didn’t understand the shapes, metaphors, etc., so I would say most of the exercises were lost on me.
BUT, one thing I do know now, and did understand then, is that fear and excitement create the same physiological reaction. I just had to change my thoughts by using the law of substitution. I was able to change “People scare me,” to “I’m excited to meet new people and learn about their lives.” This seemingly small thing has been worth the price of admission for me.
Fast Forward to Surprise Trip
I will never forget this, when my new MKE skills were truly tested: a friend told me I needed to block out six hours on Saturday for her. I agreed, and then the old worries started coming up. She wouldn’t tell me what, or where, or why, just how to dress, just that I would have a good time. The dread would come, and I would push it away saying to myself that “I’m excited for new adventures.” Have faith!
The day came, she picked me up, and off we drove. About 25 minutes into the drive I thought I had figured it out. Sure enough, I did! We stopped outside of town at a convenience store, she handed me a gift bag and told me to go in and change. Yep – I was right, we were outside of Lawrence, Kansas, home of the University of Kansas. I was now wearing my first KU t-shirt and we were going to see the amazing KU Jayhawks whuup Baylor at Allen Fieldhouse.
That was one of my bucket list items, and she remembered me saying that a long time ago. I felt really bad when I saw the ticket price, but didn’t object, and graciously said “thank-you” – (being in the flow of giving and receiving, don’t ya know).
Big Lesson at the Fieldhouse
I suppose an argument can be made for being in a more exciting college basketball arena than Allen Fieldhouse, but don’t even try that around here! The atmosphere in that arena was rocking! I had more fun than I could have even imagined, and I’m so glad that fear did not keep me from this experience! Yay!
Well, college basketball is one thing, what about a PLO assassin, and what in the world?!?
The grace of God, that’s what. Hang on, I’ll connect it to my conquering fear, thanks to Mark and Davene, founders of MKE. Have faith!
Enter a Guest Speaker & The New Me
The day after the basketball game, our little church on the dusty (frozen) plains of Kansas was privileged to have as a guest speaker, Tass Saada. He was trained as a sniper and joined the PLO in 1968 because of his hatred of Jews and his admiration for Yasser Arafat.
Saada served for a period of time as Arafat’s chauffeur. His intense hatred and precision as a sniper gained him reputation and the nickname, “Butcher”. His story is horrific, but Saada’s conversion experience and subsequent life is so inspiring! Read his book, “Once An Arafat Man”, an incredible story of redemption and reconciliation. Also check out Hope for Ishmael online. Again – a whole ‘nother story.
Have Faith
After Saada’s very moving talk, and as the service concluded, I saw him momentarily alone, and the old blueprint diverted my eyes and I started to walk away, but the new me took a hard left turn, walked boldly up to Saada, shook his hand, and thanked him for coming to share his story with us.
I passed an enjoyable few minutes speaking with him and looking him straight in the eye. Yep – old, scared me, and a former terrorist. Have faith!
NO – WAIT – – THAT’S WRONG: New, confident me, and a former terrorist. Both actually just sinners saved by grace. God is good all the time!
Loved every single word of it! How inspiring. . . I didn’t finish my MKE either — the label AADD — looking forward to focusing. . . hmm substitute I focus better each day — is that better??? but anyway. Thank you for your post.
Toya, thanks very much for your comments. Labels don’t do us any good, do they? You do focus better each day! Bravo!
Incredible red-blue both had a similar experience – principles over personalities – you never know whats behind these dmp!
That’s why I love this work! Everyone has a story, and they are all amazing! Thanks for reading and commenting!
I so enjoyed reading your story. So interesting, and enlightening. I read it because it spoke about going beyond your fears, which is something I struggle with also. Thank you.
One conversation with my guide, leading to a one sentence addition to my DMP literally changed my life. We’re going for progress, not perfection – have faith and keep going!
Omygosh yes Valerie I agree 100% a Universal idea “feeling the fear and doing it anyway” mahalo Nancy for the reminder I can do anything if I get my mind right
I can see, Nancy, how/why you are a “sought-out” Master Guide, because I observe lack of self-confidence getting in the way of SO MANY DREAMS of so many of us. That the MKE experience could turn such a severe experience of it around for YOU shows how/why it can help so many. Just wow. Thanks you for sharing your pain and your breakthrough and for guiding us into hope that that can happen for us and those we can invite to MKE!
Thank you for those very kind words, Shirley!
I love your comment Shirley – this made me think of the ‘you can lead a horse water but can’t make them drink’ Nancy did the drinking!!! lol
Nancy sometimes I feel we are twins separated at birth. I can so identify with this story and my admiration for your grows and grows – Mahalo for sharing this its helped me so much.
I appreciate that, Davene.
What a great blog, and such valuable lessons! Have faith!!
Thanks for being on Clubhouse tonight, Arlene!
What an amazing journey Nancy. Kudos to you for your courage and willingness to change!
So great to hear how MKE helped you.
Thank you, Peaches – there are hundreds of stories from our members that are so impactful!
Thanks Nancy O. Enjoyed this blog. I appreciate you.
Thanks for reading and commenting – it means a lot!