Last night I helped my dear hubbie mow the lawn. All one gazillion acres of it.
Ok. It’s not quite that big, but it feels that way when you are mowing the lawn for the FIRST TIME EVER in your entire life and you are on a rider that feels like it has forty horses under the hood and that it will leap forward insanely fast and drive you into one of the stone walls or into the pond.
Yes. I confess. I have never mowed a lawn. Never. Not even one blade of grass.
I imagine that some of my family members are blinking in surprise, wondering how I have escaped the lawn detail.
Part of it, I am embarrassed to say, stems from a fear of sharp blades that move really, really fast. And also tipping over the rider as I mow from the easy flat areas to the mountainous peaks gentle slopes of the yard.
To help me conquer my fear and to keep me safe, my dearest went through the basics of the rider with me, teaching me step by step what to do.
He is really good at that, and it is one of the many things I love about him.
Ok. My turn to show I know how to run this death machine labor saving device.
Turn on the key.
Oops. Let’s make sure it’s in neutral, shall we?
Engage the left lever thingy to the little arrow shaped notch.
Brake. Keep on the brake.
Put it in second gear (There’s a sixth gear??!! Good golly, what were the designers thinking? That speed would make me airborne, I am sure.)
Gently push this other lever up to actually make the blades operational.
Ok. Foot off the combination brake/clutch.
Oooomph. Whiplash.
It’s been too long since I’ve driven anything with a clutch. Must remember how to gently let off the clutch to smoothly engage the mower.
With my heart in my throat and my chest tight with anxiety, I putt slowly around a pretty flat part of the yard in wide circles, playing it safe.
I hit my first incline, and I LEAN to compensate for the slope.
I AM GOING TO TIP OVER!!!!
Nope. That was just my anxious inner baby screaming as we leave our comfort zone.
You will all be glad to know that I finished the evening physically unscathed.
Not only did I get comfortable with the mower by the end of the evening, but as my hubbie and I were doing the final flat expanse, we were zooming around the gradually decreasing perimeter, following each like two go-carts on a race track.
And yes, I was in fifth gear and loving it.
My point in sharing this story is that we all have fears that keep us from moving forward into something new or different or better.
Our kids have fears as well, and we are constantly pushing encouraging them to just get over it, to just go talk to the other students, to try out for a team, to join a club.
Our children learn best from us by our behaviors and actions, not by our words.
Be a good role model and improve your life as well.
Take a chance. Step out of your comfort zone.
Face your fear. And mow it down.
Ha, great post! I can’t believe I learned how to use the riding lawn mower before you. Grampa taught me, so I’m sure the instructions were a little different from Dad’s
Yes, I remember photos I took of you when you were first in college (?) on the smaller Kubota tractor, too.
Yet another large piece of equipment I never learned to run…
I love it – face your fears and mow it down! I feel that way every time I hit publish on a blog post or when I write an article for the newspaper. Putting yourself out there never seems to get easier. (but I’m continue to mow it down!)
Good for you! It is really scary to face your fears, but it is truly the only way forward. I think it is especially difficult to put our writing out there. It is so personal, but that is what makes it really shine, I think.
Just get on that mower and put it in high gear!
Nice post. Thanks for sharing. If you are looking for lawn mower reviews online, you can visit Fred’s Home And Garden website. Highly Recommended!
Wow!! Great post! But Remember to always prioritize safety while using a riding lawn mower. Wear appropriate clothing and safety gear such as goggles, gloves, and sturdy shoes. Also, keep pets and children away from the area you are mowing.
Twitter: SOCIALBOOSTING
says:
This post on mowing lawns and facing fears is a relatable and inspiring read. It’s always a challenge to confront our fears and overcome them, but by facing them head on, we can grow and gain confidence. Your experience with mowing the lawn is a great example of this, and it’s great to hear that you were able to overcome your fear and find enjoyment in the task. Your words are encouraging and remind us that taking small steps to overcome our fears can lead to great personal growth. Thank you for sharing your story and for inspiring others to face their fears as well.