FACING FEARS!!

Whilst being on a youthwork placement little do you realise that is so much of a personal journey, in fact so much so you find yourself facing 'unknown' fear - well in my case, i did. It was a couple of weeks ago now but it was mentioned about taking a group of young people ice-skating, i was asked if i wanted to come along and as far as i was concerned, it was a 'no' as i couldn't even skate - i had only ever been once in my life when i was younger. Score settled, or so i thought!! Later on we had a supervisory meeting and i was asked again, stating the same answer, though i was then challenged with why was that a 'good enough' reason for me not to go? Was it my only reason? It became clear that perhaps it was a whole lot of factors rolled into one that was stopping me, the fact that i couldn't skate, the fact i didnt want to look foolish and vulnerable infront of other youth workers and young people, the fact that i was afraid of getting hurt, the fact of just 'letting-go' on the ice, the fact that i had not worked with this group on such a level that there was a confident working relationship there!!! But it was said to me there was no reason for me not to play a role, i may just find that i am able to draw on the same level as the young people and be an encourager to others who are unsure...there is always things we will do that we are unsure of but this will then equip us to do more and be beyond limit as such!! So with his i went, the morning beforehand i was still very nervy and sick in the stomach but somwhow confident that i would overcome somthing, i went, found out that one of the young people had never skated before so was able to assure him that he wasnt on his own. I got out on the ice, though pretty much sticking to the edge, i was supported by the other youth workers, there challenged i was i steadily built a confidence and began to relax take a hold of this new experience, the young people aslo enjoyed themselves, everyone was left feeling quite happy and me eager to go again!!