Flinching is NOT only for Sissies

I bet a lot of you think you have to put on a happy face no matter what happens. Humans are taught to smile in the face of fears and scary things. I have no clue why  - that doesn't make any sense to me.  

I see humans walk thru this world and they try so hard not to flinch, no matter what scary thing is coming at them.  I'm told that you don't want anyone to see you're scared.

How crazy is that?

My wild momma taught me that acknowledging fear is a good thing.  Especially when it's a mountain lion that's chasing you and you're really afraid!You better believe I would ask my herd for help

Asking for help when you're afraid is a good thing to do - for all of us.

It's funny to me. You have scary things and people in your world - but you also have people who want to help you.  Just think how much easier life would be if you had the courage to raise your hand and ask for help, to admit you were afraid or unsure.

That's right.  It takes courage to admit you're afraid and ask for help. 

But that's how you face the fear - by being brave and admitting you're afraid, facing that fear and kicking it far away from you - with help from your friends and family.

Asking for help is not a sign of weakness - in any world.  In fact, I think that flinching shows you have a  brave heart.

I'm learning to ask for help and let my Mommy know when I'm afraid.  And you know what?  I'm no sissy!

Here's an example.  When I first saw a cow - I was SCARED.  They smelled like hamburgers, acted funny for an animal and I'd never seen anything like that. So I flinched!  I backed up and reared and tried to get away from where Mommy wanted me to go.  That way she knew I was afraid.  She didn't think less of me - she simply knew how I was feeling and that I needed a bit of help.

She let me watch the cows for a while, took me over and let me sniff them through the fence.  Hmmm, pretty harmless if you ask me.  Then I got to watch the other horses play with the cows for a while so I wouldn't be so afraid to play too.  And you know what - it looked like fun!  So - I decided to be brave - and just look what happened!

So the next time you think you can't flinch and ask for help - remember this. 

It takes more courage to step up and admit to fear than it does to hide the fear.

Flinch on!