Fear - we all know about fear. But how to express that? How to show which fear? I have several fears - the fear of losing my family, of someone close to me dying, of sickness and no longer being able to lead the life I'm having now. The fear of becoming vulnerable by showing so much of myself here.
Then there are fears that are - well, avoidable. If I fear to get killed in a thunderstorm while being outside - I just stay inside during that time. Easy.
And there are those fears that are also fascinating. I have one of them. This:
Snakes.
I'm afraid of snakes. At the same time I find them deeply fascinating. In every zoo and reptile exhibition I go to watch the snakes. I've even touched snakes, held them in my hands. Still I'm not quite as brave as Kaefer who carries them around her neck.
This Burmese Python - and I'm not quite sure whether s/he is an albino snake or not - I saw in the San Diego Zoo. And I actually thought her/him cute - look at that sweet face! It's almost as if s/he wants to say something, like "I'm so lonely, I'd like a companion" or "why do people hate us?" Do snakes have feelings? Do they feel lonely or sad or happy? Are they intelligent?
They do give me goosebumps. Sometimes I dream of snakes, and those are downright nightmares. In my dreams they definitely represent my fears. But if I see one in the road - which sometimes happens - I drive around them. I wouldn't want to kill them.
You can find more about fear over at Inspiration Avenue.
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18 comments:
It's amazing that you can make something so scary look so adorable. It really DOES look sad and wanting of a friend. Great photo, as always. And of course, your take on snakes was fun to read, too.
Snakes are a bit freaky as they are kind of everywhere here in Australia. We used to find the skins they shed on the verandah of or old house!!! As to the football comment on my blog... I am talking the football in the Australian sense, we have 4 major codes including your real football which we call soccer.... I will forgive your like of soccer and unless you are belching while watching it I think you are safe from being too Boy like xx
In this photo he looks like an overgrown worm and not too scary, but we know otherwise! I had to watch snakes being fed in biology classes, that is something I'd like to forget.
I have to say I have never been fond of snakes...I'm not sure I'm afraid of them but I do give them lots of respect and keep my distance. When I was 11 I went to a science school for one week (part of our school curriculum) and the teacher there wanted us to touch a snake. Not happening from this girl. He tried to encourage me and I held firm and kept my distance.
Bravo to you for admitting your fears here, making yourself vunerable; and touching snakes to help yourself move beyond your fear of them. I commend you.
Good photo too!!!!
Burmese Pythons grow to be gigantic. My son had one for awhile after he moved away from home. He WAS scary!
I don't think anyone could hate snakes as much as I do. I could not even have taken this photo. I came so close to being bit by a rattlesnake once and that instilled a fear in me that I can't shake.
Deep seated fears are fascinating indeed. :-)
One of your main fears is mine too: 'The fear of becoming vulnerable by showing so much of myself here.' And not just on my blog, but in every day life as well, I tend to hold back.
He is cute! And I think a respectful fear is really admiration. He probably feels the same way about you, lol.
Your photography is just sublime!
♥♥♥
Now why didn't I think of snakes, YUCK! Excellant work, Carola!
Wow, what a great post. I can't say that I am afraid of snakes, but I don't go looking for them either! :-)
Love the photo though, it is fantastic. I liked that you said that you fear opening up of yourself too much, since I often have that fear too. I want to share, but fear that I will be vulnerable. The entire post was very nicely said!!
I hope all is well there. Have not been around for awhile, so am getting caught up to everyone now.
~Debby
I'm so with you on that fear of vulnerability...of sharing too much and letting our true colors show. and - ditto on the snakes. I wouldn't have even dared to stop and photograph.
I didn't even want to click on yours!
I am totally afraid of snakes. I fail to see their cuteness and for me they have nothing to offer. However, I did just watch "Zoo Keeper" and if one spoke to me and I heard his sad story, I might change my mind! ~*
I hate snakes! Hate them, fear them and don't want to think about them.
Unfortunately living in country australia, they are a day to day reality in the summer.
I often worry about sharing too much, and becoming vulnerable, but so far, the times I have opened up have been some of the most rewarding moments.
Thanks for commenting on my post.
I have to admit that I'm not such a fan of snakes either, but my Mom is terrified of them! It sounds like like you have a very positive grasp on dealing with your fear. And I too really like the picture you chose- you're showing the story from the snake's side as well....very nice!
Wow, great post! It is true, there are so many things to be afraid of. It's also strange how hope and fear are so intertwined, but hard as it is I think it's important to find more hope in things than finding more to be scared of. And with snakes, my Mom too can't cope with them. I can't say the word around her or she gets really upset :-\ I don't mind them, but once a friend of mine who was an animal class instructor at a tutoring program let me hold her itty-bitty garden snake she'd brought in for the lesson, and I will admit it was a little creepy when he tried to burrow into my shirt to keep warm (-: Thanks for sharing for this challenge!
I had such a known phobia of snakes in college that one time some friends sent me pictures of snakes in a snail-mail letter just as a prank! HA. Well, I'm not as bad as I used to be but I still don't fancy the way they slither from here to there. I'm guessing the Adam and Eve story never helped them one bit!
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