The Idea
Have you ever had an idea that you couldn’t empty from your mind? What was once just a passing thought soon turned into an all-out obsession? Then maybe you continue to push it away; it’s impossible, it’s out of your comfort zone, someone else should do it. Until that thought plagues you for so long you realize it’s not going anywhere, and the only way to get rid of it is to make it happen, as Nike would say, “Just Do It.”
That idea for me is My Rescue Rocks.
A Story About Fear
It was fear that kept it locked up for nearly a year. I flash back to my LGBT class in college, when Ester called me to the front of the room to read my essay. Maybe I wrote an excellent essay, but being the only heterosexual girl in the class, I never expected to be put in the spotlight for my perspective. As it shook in my hands, my paper made more noise than my meek, stuttering voice did. Ester stopped me, told me everything was ok, and to relax, but pointing out my anxiety just intensified it; I read faster and shook even more. It’s easy for me to write, but ask me to read what I’ve just written aloud to crowd of strangers and prey instinct takes over.
When I did my first test recording, just me and the mic, my finger froze above the record button. Even though I knew no one would ever hear it, I still had to coax myself to speak. The reality of “I’m actually doing this” overwhelmed me all at once and, as if an elephant were standing on my chest, I couldn’t breathe.
Little by little, I’m getting over it. These moments of fear may seem unbearable in the moment, but once I’m past it, it’s over, and I’m still alive. The only way past fear is straight through it and, now, I’m determined to come out on the other side.
Excuses to Fight the Fear
From a broad perspective, fear is just another excuse to run. So I just need a more important excuse to keep walking forward, and I have plenty of them:
- Innocent animals are killed everyday and many animal lovers are totally oblivious to the facts.
- Telling stories is the most powerful way to make a connection with people and spread ideas.
- Hearing a story, first-hand from the source, is even more powerful than reading it second-hand.
- Very few people have extra time to read these days, and more people are turning to audio for entertainment.
- I know too many people with amazing rescue stories that NEED to be told.
- Sharing these stories can inspire more people to support rescue, seek change, and save more lives.
Something Much Scarier
I look at my Gracie Lou lounging on the bed, I pat her pink belly, stroke her soft fur, and think about all the other dogs that weren’t as lucky as her. My imagination puts her back in the shelter, walking down a cold, cement-floored corridor towards a room full of strangers intending to steal her life. I want to cry, but I bring myself back into reality and envelop my dog in a hug, grateful to have her. She picks her head up and licks my nose, and I know she’s grateful to have me too.
The thought of Gracie’s right to live and love being snatched away from her is much scarier than talking into a mic. That’s all the excuse I need.
My Rescue Rocks, the podcast featuring stories about love, tragedy, and survival, will launch this summer! Get on the listener’s list to be notified when the first stories are available to download.
If you have your own rescue story to share please don’t hesitate to submit it here: rescue story submissions.
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