Druid in the City: I Broke an Arrow with my Neck

Fear. It developed as a fundamental emotion for survival, but it can be a significant challenge in today’s connected, crazy, pandemic world. We are constantly assailed by stories designed to make us fear – fear to go outside, fear of not wearing masks, fear of getting ill, fear of fire, fear of smoke and orange skies, fear that nothing will ever return to normal, fear that the wrong person will be in charge of the government.

Listening to the news today, you’ll hear about the pandemic, the US elections, the fires, riots, or a host of other terrifying things.

But fear can be managed. I don’t know that we can ever fully get rid of it, but we can manage it.

Back in the before time, back when we could get together in person, I attended a workshop about fear given by Rev. Kirk Thomas at the Eight Winds Festival. In that workshop, we were challenged to break an arrow – without our hands – while the point was nestled in our neck.

I was the first to try it.

Kirk explained and demonstrated the technique, and then it was my turn.

I knew it was possible – I had just seen it happen.

But still …

There was a piece of pointed metal putting pressure on my neck.

I knew it was possible – I had just seen it happen.

But still ….

Okay …. deep breath …. I knew it was possible.

I stepped forward and ….

I broke an arrow with my neck.

I was in a controlled environment; doing an activity that I was relatively sure would work, and still – my heart raced, adrenaline raced, and I had to convince myself to do it. I’m not sure that I could have done it without the encouragement of the other workshop participants.

Fear isn’t something that we can wish away. We can face it, manage it, and push through it, but we can’t get rid of it.

That workshop taught me that you can push through fear and that the help of the people around you is key.

So let’s help each other out in this world of fear. Let’s reach out to our friends online, cheer each other on, check-in frequently, and remind each other that we can face this fear.

Limit your exposure to the fear mongers, hold each other up, and we can face this fear together.