This is part two of the series I started last friday and which I explained were those of my dear friend 
If you missed out on part one you could refresh here: When I am done with her series, I will share just one of mine, for now let’s read on, like, comment and share:
Facing fears can be a very difficult thing to do. I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder four years ago. With having an anxiety disorder, I have dealt with being afraid of going over bridges. When I was 8 years old, I went on a school field trip to the beach. While the bus was crossing over a bridge, a huge boat went under the bridge causing the bridge to open up so the big boat could make its way through. At the time I was panicked because I did not exactly understand what was happening. My teacher saw that everyone was scared, but was delayed in explaining the situation. I still get scared when I cross over bridges, but I have been able to lessen the panic significantly.
Watched video of bridge: I forced myself to watch a video of someone driving over one of the longest bridges in the United States. Watching the video was not as bad as I expected. My stomach turned a little in the beginning of the video, but I finished feeling very strong about facing bridges.
Drove over a small bridge: Usually when I go to the beach, I am with a family member or a friend who will drive over the bridge for me or coax me through it. I decided to face my very own fear and drive over the bridge in Savannah, Georgia which leads to Tybee Island. The bridge is very high and it is the one that we went over when I was eight years old. I finally drove it all by myself and it was the scariest thing I could imagine at the time. I was so nervous and held my breath. I was really scared because there was a big boat getting close to passing under the bridge and I was scared the boat would come busting through the bridge and my car would fall into the Savannah River and I would be gone forever. Of course, everything went smoothly going over and coming back.
Drove over a huge bridge: So I moved to Long Beach, California for a year to face fears and get different scenery from my home state of Georgia. I had to go to San Pedro to see a client one day and I tried my best to avoid going over the super big green Vincent Thomas Bridge, but it was inevitable. It was terrifying because the people around me were driving so reckless like they were on the set of “2 Fast and 2 Furious.” They were too fast and I was too furious. The bridge felt like it was a hundred miles long and it never ended. There was a lot of traffic and the lights were stop and go. The bridge looks old so I was worried it was going to fall any minute, but somehow I made it back home safe and sound.
I have continued to drive over bridges, not because I want to, but because I want to get to other states and places. I continue to face my fears head on and pray the entire way. My fear of bridges may seem a bit irrational, but it is very real to me. Slowly and surely, I hope to continue on my journey and face the fears that have paralyzed me for too long.
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