Tip: Walk towards whatever terrifies you!
One of the most important things we can learn to do in life is to face our
fears. I believe that fear is a motivator that can either help us or hurt
us. When fear attacks and you are terrified, you can only do one of two
things: You can run from it, or face it and walk into it.
There are two different kinds of fear: healthy and unhealthy. I am afraid
to touch a hot stove. That is a good, healthy fear. I have learned from
personal experience and the experience of others, that a hot stove can be
dangerous. I am glad that I have a healthy respect and fear of a hot
stove!
An unhealthy kind of fear might be that of learning how to use a computer,
which was one of my biggest fears. I am technically challenged, so when I
started using the computer, everything about it scared me - even the on/off
button! Because of my limited knowledge, the more I worked with it, the
more frustrated I became. There were a few times that I even wanted to wrap
my hands around its throat and choke it to death, but I didn't know where
its throat was!
I read an article several years ago stating that one of the most difficult
things a person over the age of 35 would ever learn how to do was use a
computer or program a VCR. I did not want to be defeated by a machine!
Since I knew that technology was the wave of the future, I decided that I
needed to embrace the computer and learn how to use it. The more familiar I
became with it the less terrified I was. You see, I walked into my fear
rather than running from it.
Another unhealthy fear might be that of being around people. Carl Smith,
who is our Director of Business and Product Development here at Personality
Insights, Inc., once told me that when he was young he was terrified of
people. In fact, when his relatives came to his house to visit, he would go
to his bedroom and hide.
It is amazing to me that Carl, who was once afraid of his own relatives, is
now one of the most outgoing, friendly people I have ever met in my life!
When people hear his story, they are proud of him and are so excited about
his success in this area. Hearing of his accomplishment causes them to
realize that they can do the same thing.
My good friends, Joe and Dawn Pici, speak and train on sales and cold
calling. Joe says, "Do what you don't like until you do like it, then you
will become an expert at it!" In other words, if you face your fear and
defeat it, then it will become a new strength.
The key to overcoming your fear is to simply start. If you are afraid of
meeting people, just start by smiling and saying, "Hello." Even if you are
on an elevator you can start by saying "good morning." Or, when you meet
someone new, shake hands with them and say, "It's nice to meet you." That's
a start.
I love baseball and have already been to one of the Atlanta Braves games
this year. One thing I find fascinating about a baseball player is that he
will approach the batter's box with his heart beating rapidly and he will do
everything in his power to succeed. He faces his fear. Yet, seven out of
ten times, he will fail. If he can succeed in getting on base three out of
ten times he is up to bat, he will end up in the Hall of Fame. You see,
people love and admire others who are willing to start.
If you run from what terrifies you most, you are running in the wrong
direction! If, however, you are willing to face whatever terrifies you and
walk into it, rather than running from it, you will be a winner! There will
be people cheering you on, just like we cheer on baseball players and other
sports figures.
If anyone as shy as Carl can overcome his shyness with his own relatives,
surely other people can overcome their fear as well. And, if anyone who is
as computer illiterate as me can overcome that, I guarantee you that anyone
can! The key is simply to start.
Most of us have enough common sense to recognize healthy fears from
unhealthy fears. If someone asked you to jump out of a plane without a
parachute, and you were feeling fear, I would tell you that is a good
healthy fear. I am not asking you to do something foolish here. Most of us
can tell the difference between the two.
All I am saying is that when I think that what I am trying to do is sensible
and I still feel terrified, I refuse to allow that to control me. I am not
going to run from it; I am going to walk into it. The best I can tell, that
is the right thing to do. Will you join me?
We can do all things...
Who We Are
Crews' Home for Girls, Inc. was founded in 1995 by Paul and Diana Crews with the vision and belief that we could help neglected, abused, and at risk teen girls by modeling Biblical values and living the Phil 4:13 motto of "We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength."
We began with a 6-bed home in the Rosedale area of Bakersfield, CA (#157200248) and expanded our services to include coaching and training by becoming Human Behavior Consultants through Personality Insights.
After 14 years of service, our vision has turned into dedication. We at Crews Home will continue to dedicate ourselves and all available resources to meet the increasing demands of today's foster youth: Physical, Emotional, Mental and Spiritual.
Crews Home is driven by our core Mission Statement that we will treat all people who pass through our doors with Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.
Paul and Diana Crews
Who We Serve
We can accommodate up to 6 females ranging from 12 to 17 years of age from either Social Services or Juvenile Probation.
We provide RCL 12 supervision in a structured residential environment with the ultimate goal of equipping our residents with the tools necessary to become productive members of our communities.
Our program is designed for abused, neglected and at risk teens that may be dealing with the following issues: depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, ADHD, Bi-Polar Disorder, drug and alcohol abuse, abandonment, eating disorders, delinquency, learning disabilities, and impending emancipation.
We accept placements from any county in the State of California, however we have concentrated on Kern and surrounding counties.
