Welcome to the Fears, Tears and Belly Laughs series!
While I’m on holidays, I’ve asked some very special bloggers to share a story based on one of the prompts and wow wee, what a great line up!
Please make sure you leave some comment love for each guest blogger. The more love we give out, in tenfold it returns.
First up, we have Lisa from Write Like You Mean It. Lisa is a WA-based midwife, writer and blogger as well as mum to three boys. She can be often be found kid-wrangling, reading the latest crime novel and catching babies as they come into the world.
Catch Lisa over on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
Hello there, Grace has kindly asked for volunteers to write about Fears, Tears or Laughs. I have placed my hand timidly in the air to talk about fear.
There has been one fear that has ruled my whole life. I am terrified of heights. I stand on a step-ladder and I feel dizzy. I walk onto a bridge and I feel like throwing up.
I have tried all sorts of things to cure my fear. I have jumped out of a perfectly good plane and sky dived 12,000 feet. I still walk tentatively across wooden bridges while some young idiot is swinging the bridge and defying gravity at the same time. I have completed tree top walks, hundreds of metres above the ground. I have been in an open sky rail seat coasting across the picture postcard views of Italy in the air, knuckles white in fear.
No matter what I have tried to do to cure my fear, I am still petrified of falling to my death and leaving a mess on the ground for my loved ones to clean up.
Over the school holidays our little family of five and some friends stayed at bush camp holiday village. No TV. No phone or internet connection (No, this not the fear factor part of the story) Off the grid for four days.
But they did have a flying fox.
A flying fox that is three to four metres in height off the ground. It consisted of a cable tie, basic pulley system and a tyre seat. I had flashbacks to the 1980’s all over again.
So after the brave 5 year old kids had a fly, it was my turn to take my own kids. My husband was at the other end of the flying fox, ready to catch us.
Remember that saying, jump off the edge and the universe will catch you?
Umm, it was nothing like that.
I sat my backside in this snug tyre chair (remind me to lay off the cheese platter at happy hour next time) with my 5 year old sitting on my knee.
(If you are reading this and involved in work safety, you might want to look away for the next few sentences).
Clinging on for dear life, I made the mistake of looking down. My mind was starting to play tricks on me. Those fear feelings were coming back to me.
My heart was in my mouth. And lunch.
Then all of a sudden, I felt the wooden floor beneath me disappear as we flew across the treetops. My fear vanished as I heard the laughter of my son echo throughout the campsite. We landed at the other end with a thud, as the tyre seat dragged across the gravel and caught by my husband.
We did it.
We had conquered the flying fox and lived to see another day.
The thing I have learnt over the years is that fear is about the unknown. A mind over matter situation, your mind playing tricks on you.
What is on the other side of fear?
A new adventure, a new opportunity, or growth.
What are you afraid of? Do you like flying foxes? Or are you more scared of lack of technology while on holidays?
Thanks Grace for having me over on your blog today, I appreciate the opportunity and look forward to reading everyone’s stories in the series.

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Ha! I’d be more scared of the teenager when I announced there was no wifi….
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..Who gives a crap this Christmas? Kriskringle Edition
Haha Lydia, it did take a few days to get used to but in the end, I realised that I didn’t miss as much as I thought I would!
Lisa recently posted..Taking Stock: November 2015
I have had flying fox fear, but absolutely loved it when I was flying along.
Nikki@WonderfullyWomen recently posted..Baby solids – what is fine and what should be avoided?
Hi Nikki, yes, it is the step off the platform that is the scariest, but if a 4 year old can master the flying fox then I should too be able to as well. (Well that was the theory)
Lisa recently posted..Meet & Greet with WA author Rachael Johns
I have never done this and I would love to.
JodY At Six Little Hearts recently posted..LeapFrog Epic Review and Win a LeapFrog Epic Worth $199 For Your Child! #SLHFeaturedThursdays
HI Jody, you should definitely give it a go if you find one x
Lisa recently posted..Taking Stock: November 2015
Wow. That looks like so much fun! I’ve never been on one. I want to though!
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit recently posted..Day 2241 – What to do with the kids toys
So much fun Leanne, after I got over myself haha
Lisa recently posted..Plugged vs Unplugged: What I learnt from being off the grid…
I love flying foxes – I really am a big kid at heart. But go you for doing it, despite your fear!
Kirsty @ My Home Truths recently posted..My son doesn’t consider himself disabled #IDPwD
Hey Kirsty, I wish I had tried them earlier in my childhood, we had a blast xx
Lisa recently posted..5 Minutes with author Lisa Heidke
What a great story! You are very brave for facing your fear over and over again! 🙂
Min@WriteoftheMiddle recently posted..Taking Stock – November 2015
Thanks Min, I always thought that each new attempt to conquer my fear would work but I am still a little scared!
Lisa recently posted..Travel: Busselton Jetty Observatory
Ooh, well done though, because I could never skydive! Now I want to go on a flying fox!
Di from Max The Unicorn recently posted..Get Festive with Lush This Christmas!
Hey Di, thanks so much, another thing I could never do is bungee jump!
Lisa recently posted..My Favourite Perth Places to Visit
You jumped out of a plane?! Goodness! I’m not scared of heights and I still don’t think I’d do that! 🙂
Rebecca Bowyer recently posted..Could you go offline for 3 months for $3 million?
Hi Bec, yes I have jumped out of a perfectly good plane and it was definitely a once in a life-time event xx
Lisa recently posted..Taking Stock: November 2015
I’m scared of being out of control.. So flying is not my favourite thing. And I’m scared I’m not going to be the person I feel I am inside
Natalie @ our parallel connection recently posted..Who does this Google guy think he is?
I understand why you would feel that way, I often think my inside personality is different to what I portray to the world. I am not scared of being out of control, I am scared of plummeting to the ground to my death. (Such an optimist aren’t I?)
Lisa recently posted..A Snapshot of Melbourne
Oh gosh, you had me at the no internet part of the story! Heart palpitations! But seriously, good on you for facing your fears. What a big thing to conquer – and what a great example you are to those little people watching 🙂
Lara at This Charming Mum recently posted..Autobiography by Morrissey
haha Lara it was like living in 1985 all over again. We had a great time off the grid.
Lisa recently posted..Taking Stock: November 2015
I am terrified at the thought of sky diving! Go you!
Amy @ handbagmafia recently posted..Why are unvaccinated children a “threat”?
Thanks Amy, I don’t think I really thought that one through either! It was scary but I am glad I did it
Lisa recently posted..Taking Stock: November 2015
oh wow..you did it. I liked reading that once your son’s belly laugh emerged your fear subsided. That IS what it’s about…being distracted and being in the moment. Good on you! Denyse x
Denyse Whelan recently posted..Change is Hard For Kids Too. 337/365.
Thanks Denyse, my kids often bring me back down to earth and we had so much fun being in the moment on our break.
Lisa recently posted..Travel: Busselton Jetty Observatory
So awesome that you managed to conquer your fear to take on that flying fox! I don’t think I have been on one since school camp! I’m certainly one who avoids scary rides when we hit the theme parks … been there, done that 🙂
Erika @ Ever-changing Life of a Mum recently posted..Giving children confidence to make a difference + GIVEAWAY win a Travel Kids Club membership!
Hi Erika, I have been on roller coasters too but they are so NOT my favourite thing to do! I would take the flying fox every time!
Lisa recently posted..Taking Stock: November 2015
For someone who is afraid of heights, you’ve done a lot of brave things involving it!! 🙂
Well done you for taking risks to go outside your comfort zone and see a brand new world. I love flying foxes but haven’t been on one in ages. Haven’t even tried sky-diving before!
Ai Sakura recently posted..Baby’s First Month | Manyue {满月} Party Desserts & Gift Sets from The Icing Room ♥
Thanks, I am determined to conquer my fear but it keeps reappearing and testing me!
Lisa recently posted..Meet & Greet with WA author Rachael Johns
Whilst fear is a healthy emotion to stop you doing something stupid. I think it’s also important to face your fears and learn you can achieve more, which ultimately empowers you.
Sally@Toddlers on Tour recently posted..Christmas Present Ideas for Travellers
Exactly Sally. There have been times, where I have listened to my fear, and other times I have ignored the fear factor.
Lisa recently posted..Taking Stock: November 2015
Well done on he flying fox. It seems like you are nailing that fear of heights – especially with the sky diving. I’ve been in an ultra-light (single engine), glider (no engine!), hot-air balloon (ditto) and I’ve even been in a Blackhawk helicopter during a formation landing exercise (all this during my time as a journalist). But I don’t know about the sky-diving.
Kathy – yinyangmother recently posted..Endings and beginning again
Hey Kathy, I have been hot-ballooning too, that was fun! You sound like you have the heights factor nailed! The Black-hawk would have been pretty exciting x
Lisa recently posted..Taking Stock: November 2015
Nice work! Thankfully I’ve not had too much of a fear of heights, I mostly love them. I’m not too sure what my biggest fear is, it’s not really something tangible. It’s more a fear of failure I guess. Fear that I’ll fail to reach my full potential, that I won’t use my time on this earth wisely. It’s good and bad though, because that fear pushes me to do things that I might not otherwise do, so that has to be a good thing, right?!
Kylie Purtell – A Study in Contradictions recently posted..4 Simple Ways to Improve Your Sleep | Lifestyle
I know a few people with a fear of failure, unsure of their destiny. Keep on achieving Kylie. xx
Lisa recently posted..Guest Post: Fears, Tears and Belly Laughs
I’m okay with heights but I suck at balancing. Anything that requires balancing like bike, scooter, skates, anything!
Kristyn recently posted..No more recitals
Oh this is why I don’t try surfing, I can’t even roller skate. No sense of balance, I like my feet firmly on the floor x
Lisa recently posted..Meet & Greet with WA author Rachael Johns
Wow. I’m impressed at the things you’ve done to try to overcome your fear. I’m afraid of heights, and I won’t never I mean NEVER NUH-HUH GIRLFRIEND jump out of a plane or try bungee-jumping! NO WAY!
I do love our local flying fox, though. But I can touch the ground when I sit on it, so same-same but not at all. x
Emily recently posted..Top web reads of November
PS Have a great holiday Little Miss Grace. x
Emily recently posted..Top web reads of November
I wouldn’t bungee jump either Emily, I don’t want to die just yet. The line in the sand is drawn there!
Lisa recently posted..My Favourite Perth Places to Visit
Never been on a flying fox so I wouldn’t know how it’s like but kudos to you for giving it a go! My biggest fear is….. lizards! I have nightmares about them!
Mandy recently posted..Giveaway: Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights Spectacular 2015
Well done, I would love to do something like that! Spiders are my big fear. To a point whereby it can actually be quite debilitating.
Mandy, Barbie Bieber and Beyond recently posted..Well Done Clementine Ford #endviolenceagainstwomen
Hey Mandy. I grew up on farm so lizards and spiders I am not bothered by at all. I totally understand the fear associated with them though x
Lisa recently posted..Guest Post: Fears, Tears and Belly Laughs
Wow you were so brave to take that first step! I’m not sure if I’d have the guts. I’m not especially scared of heights but flying through the air with just a little cord holding me up kind of unnerves me. My biggest fear is rats – I think it’s to do with their tails as I once had a pet hamster and they’re very rat-like.
Tamuria recently posted..BABYSITTING BATTLEGROUND â how much is too much?
Oooh rats & me are not friends either haha. I am not sure about hamsters either xx
Lisa recently posted..Guest Post: Fears, Tears and Belly Laughs
I am afraid of heights too. It’s one of the reasons I don’t enjoy doing roof work as a plumber. If I go on waterslide, the hardest part is letting go. A lot of fear can be released if we let go. But I like to hold on!
Bec Senyard recently posted..Celebrating 2 Years of #everydaystyle in Style
No way Bec I could be a roof anything…..way too high for me. Waterslides – if it is enclosed I am ok but if open then no way!
Lisa recently posted..Guest Post: Fears, Tears and Belly Laughs
I’m so impressed that you jumped out of a plane to try and conquer your fear! I want to jump out of a plane at least once in my life.
My fears aren’t as outward. It’s more the fear of failing. It’s not as easy to identify as a fear of heights. Hence, it’s hard to try and conquer. But you’ve made me think about it! I need to learn to recognize it and do something about it when it hampers my ability to move forward.
I hope you have a great day Lisa!
Mary Denman recently posted..Photo Tip Friday: Understanding How to Crop Photos
Hi Mary, thanks so much for your comments. I know a few people with a fear of failure and it can be just as debilitating. I think fear of failure is about having confidence and trusting the outcome, even it is not what you originally thought it would look like! xx
Lisa recently posted..Guest Post: Fears, Tears and Belly Laughs
I’d be terrified of the flying fox and the lack of wifi in equal measure! You’re a braver woman than I, that’s for sure!
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid recently posted..The Ultimate Rabbit Hole #47
haha Sammie, both were equally scary xx
Lisa recently posted..2015: Wrap Up