Overcoming a 'Perceived Fear'
I had an amazing experience today. My cat alerted me that something was under the stove. I've been having a bit of a mouse issue with my apartment despite everything pest control has tried. So I decided to try something else. I got really quiet and listened and then I heard it. Squeaking. What does that typical mean? A mouse? or rat? right? At first I thought no no no, I can't do this. After about 30 mins of working up the courage to do it, I pulled my stove out and found the mouse stuck to a horrid glue trap that I didn't even know was there! Poor thing squeaked. But I was determined to save a life and see if I could help despite my 'perceived fear'. I was like, Jennifer, why are you afraid of this tiny thing. Its the one that is hurt and needs help. So I said, not today fear. Not today. I got some olive oil (it's all I had on hand) and a q-tip and helped the little guy off the glue trap. Took about 15 mins of us both working in collaboration. I talked to him as I went and he seemed to calm down and understand I was working with him and not against him. It was an amazing feeling that this little guy with such fear himself was willing to trust me to help him. I managed to free him and ensure everything was working (hands and feet were a bit red but still working). He sat in the corner, cleaning himself and calming looking at me. I watched him for a bit to make sure he could walk around the box and then decided to give this deer mouse a ride to a local park and set him on a path to a new free life. It was incredible as he looked back at me to say thanks human for your help and then off he went. INCREDIBLE. I know it's something small and may seem insignificant to most, but for me and that deer mouse, it was a connection I'll never forget. And that was me acknowledging my fear and saying, you know what, I'm going to do it anyways. Now I have the evidence I need that I can do things that I perceive to fear. And YOU CAN TO!