Chris Mower» Fear

Sometimes, You’ve Just Gotta’ Do It.

Chris Mower — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 16:21:15 +0000

When I was younger, my family and I frequently swam at a place called Lava Hot Springs in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. On the deep end of the pool, they have an olympic sized diving platform built with three different levels, the highest being 33 feet above the water. My family and I would always taunt each other with dares to climb to the top and jump. For me, it was mostly all talk. “Someday,” I would respond. Truth was, I was terrified of heights and had very little desire to leap off such a height to my almost certain death. Having seen more than one person carried out on a stretcher after jumping reinforced that thought.

One day, however, I could not resist the taunts any longer. My two brothers had already taken up the challenge and leaped from the top platform. I would forever be thought of as a big sissy if I didn’t do it too. When you’re in Jr. High, things like that matter a lot, and the last thing I wanted was to have a reputation of being a panty-wearing sissy wuss boy.

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Believe in the Power of Your Child’s Dreams

Chris Mower — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 06:25:36 +0000

A quick note. I’m not exactly sure what inspired this post; it’s still a little scattered in thought. I suppose I needed to remind myself that as I raise a family, I shouldn’t let what I want for my children be a barrier to their progress. I believe that we have a responsibility to teach our children correct moral principles and a responsibility to help them succeed.

Through the years I’ve worked with a lot of youth. I love how vibrant and energetic they are. I enjoy their company because they remind me of when I was younger, full of energy, and able to run a few miles without feeling like my lungs were going to explode. I’m not a decrepit old geezer, but I still feel way too old for my age.

It’s interesting that adults expect teens in high school and even college students to know what they want to do with the rest of their life. It’s actually rather absurd, really. The world is full of opportunity and after living 19 to 23 years of life with very little “real world” experience, how on earth are they supposed to know what to do with themselves in the career-driven and working world?

Do you remember hearing the words, “When you grow up you can be whatever you want to be”? It’s frequently used by adults attempting to placate a curious and day-dreaming child, but once they get older it loses its savor.

As adults we often limit our children’s choices as they age. We drag them into a reality that we create for them-saying they can and cannot do something because of their talents. We imagine their limits whether they’re true or not, and we put these imaginary limits on younger generations because we’re afraid of failure and the unknown.

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Post tags: Decisions, Fear, Relationships, Thoughts

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J.K. Rowling: Harvard Commencement Speech

Chris Mower — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:00:15 +0000

J.K. Rowling, author of the best-selling Harry Potter book series, delivers her Commencement Address, “The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination,” at the Annual Meeting of the Harvard Alumni Association.

J.K. Rowling’s commencement speech is one of the best I’ve heard in a long time. It’s very touching, humble, and deep — she has no desire to prove her brilliance as I’ve seen with other speakers. Because of this she can connect with everybody, not just the scientific or philosophical thinkers, and yet her eloquence and insights let you know that she’s a very intelligent and caring woman; she’s a leader in the greatest respects.

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A Quick Look at Stage Fright

Chris Mower — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 04:11:24 +0000

I’m writing this while slurping down a half-frozen, bottled orange juice which, I admit, is not the most effective use of my time–multitasking is highly overrated. But I want to write about my fear-induced meltdown today while it remains fresh on my mind. This year, this month, this day, this minute is a time to overcome fear. It’s time to break the shell and spread those wings. Surprise yourself; do something that scares you, something you dream of doing. Today I cracked that shell and oh, it felt good.

Last month I tried out for the, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” (YAGMCB) musical and landed the part of Schroeder, the 9-year-old musical genius (hmm, my exact opposite). I knew nearly squat about Peanuts. Was I scared? You betcha’. My knees clattered all the way to try outs and my clammy fingers left sweat on the steering wheel, but I used that nervousness to give me energy. So for the first time, I sang out loud for someone else like I just didn’t care, and I was shocked that I was me.

As we rehearsed through January, I don’t recall ever singing my solos or other songs 100% correct, and I often sang off pitch. It was a nutty cycle. When I concentrated on singing I forgot my choreography or vice versa. By last night’s final rehearsal I felt 85% okay about my music and choreography, but my stomach began knotting up as I envisioned the worst possible scenarios for this morning’s performance.

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