Dear Wisdom:

Exciting it is. Fear is a powerful emotion and it hold lots and lots of people back, holds them from doing what they want to do. That is the nature of fear. I know it all too well. So you do what you can, with this guy, online. Maybe take a little bigger step in communicating with him, just a bit something more. When you are online with him- or otherwise, when you are afraid- take a few deep breath, slow deep breaths. You can also talk to yourself (aloud or not) and calm yourself with your own words, as if you were talking to a scared little child…

In fact, the part of you that is afraid is no different than a little scared girl… so talk to her, as if you were a mother to her, but a good, loving mother, giving yourself the positive attention you need, especially when you are afraid.

At times, you can figuratively take her by the hand and do something scary, a small thing that is scary. Just so to move forward…

anita