Comments on: hello fear

By: jeanine

jeanine — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:01:39 +0000

you are already an amazing teacher. you just now touched something deep within me and i feel lighter because of it. part of being a student of anything is knowing that the people you look up to started at ground zero and felt the same doubts, fears, anxieties as us but have pushed through them. that is what inspires us to learn. just keep showing up and one day, as you say, you’ll look back on this and realize how far you’ve come. also. did you do that illustration at the top (hello fear…)? because that is GENIUS, woman. i want to blow it up and paste it on my wall. thank you for all that you do.

By: Kamela

Kamela — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:17:32 +0000

Don’t be so hard on yourself! Yoga is about having fun, playing, and opening your heart up to new experiences. Be encouraged to have the patience to deliver a difficult pose, you’ll get it one day, when you’re ready. Isn’t one of the yoga philosophies about being non-violent, including being non-violent with yourself? So ease up sister and enjoy the journey!!! Cheers!

By: Marta

Marta — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:11:47 +0000

I think I have written here before about how much of what I admire in you is this honesty. To admit frailties and fears, and trying to work on them (or at least to acknowledge them).
Have you realized what a huge step this is? Just noticing and coming face to face with these fears that have been holding you back? The courage it takes? And how few people actually do it?
This is in itself growth, evolution, going further. The qualities I think make a true yogi, although I am even way behind you in my knowledge of what it takes to become it.

It’s all in those last, wise words. :) and it’s all part of that journey.

By: liz

liz — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:51:29 +0000

wow. i actually just found your blog via reading about you in communication arts (really awesome article, btw – i felt so inspired by it)! i’ve been an occasional contributor to illustration friday as well, but just never thought to check out your blog before. i also am a yogi and an illustrator, although i got my yoga certification years ago, and only just finished my degree in illustration in 2008. so i feel a bit like we’re flipped versions of each other, in that i am experiencing that same fear, only as it applies to my illustration career. i often feel frozen by it. am i good enough? does my work, my vision, my perception matter? there are so many incredible illustrators out there already (and YOU are high on my list of “damn-i-wish-i-could-do-that” people :)), how can i compete with that?? sometimes it just feels so overwhelming and terrifying. so thank you for this post, because it has made me think about that. and about the possibility of framing my fear differently. when i was studying yoga, i somehow was able to allow myself fear and uncertainty without getting frozen. i felt it, but i trusted my teachers, and the process, and that ultimately led me to trust myself. it gave me tools for coping with that fear, you know? anyway, this is my rambling way of saying: thank you for this post! thank you for your inspiring work! thank you for this blog! and to tell you – i feel your pain sista :) try and trust the universe on this one…. trust the process, trust yourself. when the time comes to teach, you will be ready.

By: Ariadna

Ariadna — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:44:08 +0000

Thank you for sharing this with us Penny. Fear made me feel like failure all through my 20´s, controlling every part of my life. I used to compare myself with other people constantly, leading me to believe that I would never be as good, talented and creative as them.
Reading your blog has helped me to realize that I am human and I don´t have to be perfect. You are so talented, creative, you have done so many great things in your life, but you still have doubts, fears, you don´t lie to us, pretending to have a perfect life, or pretending that you are always on creative mode, your honesty and strengh is very inspiring to me.
You have showed me that it is ok to go through a rollercoaster of emotions, and still feel ok with what I have accomplished so far and believe in myself.
Thank you Penny from the bottom of my heart. Hang in there, I know that you can do it! You have conquered so many other fears, this one will be another victory for you very soon.

Ps: I like you self note:)

By: alex

alex — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:32:53 +0000

Penelope,
I am sure you hardly want my two cents, but I just want to say to you, you can. Start small. I know I would love to take a class from you. Try something that hasn’t been done before, a nearly silent yoga class where you don’t talk you just lead the class by doing the poses. I can do wheel of life but when I look at this pose, I get fearful too, because if I understand it correctly you have to go from standing and it scares me even though I is not that different. AND I get so frustrated with my body when I try to do warrior or other standing poses because I simply can’t do them correctly because of my ankle. Last class when it was over tears seeped from my ideas because I thought I will never ever be able to do this, even if I try really hard and practice for years, it is physically impossible. The thing is, YOU, YOU CAN. So please don’t give up on this dream. Part of yoga is accepting your fear I believe. To be with it. You are so amazing and have given me so much inspiration in my life, hope and courage. Don’t loose yours.
Hugs,
Alex.

By: Anna

Anna — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:26:15 +0000

Delurking to acknowledge your huge heart and your brave words. Your authenticity and honesty around this subject really speaks to my heart, and I am so glad you posted this. I think your vulnerability is the first step toward being an authentic, grounded teacher. Thank you for sharing this. : )

By: angela

angela — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:10:07 +0000

putting it out there to the world is very brave; you are brave.

By: Frizz

Frizz — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:07:56 +0000

i totally feel that way about illustration but i keep painting, hoping for a breakthrough or a different perspective. i think it’s part of the journey – maybe like a growing pain. definitely signifies growth.

By: lydia

lydia — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:10:02 +0000

I have found Pema Chodron to be a grand resource when it comes to fear … her new book if you haven’t seen it already is “Taking the Leap ~ freeing ourselves from old habits and fears” here is a link to the review of the book.

http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/978-1-59030-634-5.cfm

and one of her beautiful quotes ~ “Every moment is unique, unknown, completely fresh.”

Thank you for being brave enough to share and may your practice continue.