Ghosts, Goblins and Other Assorted Scary Stuff

October is traditionally the month of scary stuff. It even culminates in the holiday of the spooky. Various cultures celebrate festivals like Halloween, Day of the Dead and All Hallows, ushering in the darker part of the year. It is said that spirits are more likely to show themselves around this time.

I don’t know about you, but I have a healthy fear of ghosts and goblins. Unexplainable noises, shadowy figures glimpsed in peripheral vision, a feeling that there is “something” out there in the dark, all make my heart race. The reason is probably because they represent the 'unknown' and this  is unsettling to us. But why should the unknown be something that causes such angst? And how can we use fear to our benefit?

As psychologist Amy Bucher writes, doing something scary can “inspire exceptional outcomes.”

“Just as there seems to be an optimal level of stress for growth and learning, a certain amount of fear can lead to high performance. Fear signals there’s something of consequence on the line, a reason to exert effort.”

It’s always been my instinct to say yes to an opportunity without mulling it over first. Before giving myself a chance to really think through the pitfalls and ramifications, I’m nodding my head and accepting the offer.

Now I don't mean agreeing to physically perilous things.  Not skydiving level scary. Just the type of scary where I put myself in an uncomfortable situation. Like consenting to giving a speech in front of 400 people, or saying yes to painting for an event like Carlisle Arts Learning Center’s mARTini fundraising auction before considering that it would mean painting in front of strangers. 

Outside. 

In a few hours.

And oh, the artwork had to be good enough that someone would want to fork over serious money for it. 

You already know that painting outside has a certain number of pitfalls. The sunlight changes, wind knocks your easel over, bugs fly into the paint and as hard as you may try, not every effort is frame-worthy. 

Can I admit that I was starting to sweat and it wasn’t because of the temperature?

So the day before the event, said a prayer that God would direct my brushstrokes and took my paints out for a test run at the site. I planned to paint the iconic mansion at Allenberry.

Easel set, colors shimmering on the palette, I turned to see a couple sitting together a the bench positioned next to the Yellow Breeches creek. The sunlight hitting the pair was magical. It was instantly obvious that this was the painting I needed to do. I just hoped they would sit still long enough for me to capture them with my brushes.

After an hour, the light changed significantly and my couple left so I packed up and crossed fingers that the light would be similar on the next day.

The weather for mARTini day was perfect and I started painting as the crew from CALC and the staff from Allenberry were setting up for the event. I was close to finished as people started to arrive.

The event was impressively well organized and very elegant. Gratefully, my painting went for a generous sum at auction to benefit the wonderful programs at CALC.

And yes, I was stressed, fear almost chocked my brushes, but I’m so happy that I said yes and pushed through the uncomfortable spots.

So what’s your scary story with a happy ending? Reply in the blog so we can encourage others to risk the fearful thing that makes us grow.