 It was exceptionally difficult to choose a winner and it took Ester and I literally hours to choose. We looked at what jumped out at us, and how well the student interpreted what their fears are as a picture, and how much detail they put into it. We created a long list and then a shortlist, and then narrowed it down to even less, and then the winners. Every student who entered and drew their Fear Monsters is a winner. You all did amazingly and made our job so hard. Well done to all of you!!! So here it is… Competition winners: 1st Place was a tieName: Finley Age:6 School: Bracken Ridge State School Class: Prep/1 Finley wins a signed hardcover copy of Raymund and the Fear Monster  Also 1st PlaceName: Latisha Age: 8 School: Morwell Central Primary School Class: ½ C Latisha wins a signed hardcover copy of Raymund and the Fear Monster and a free author and illustrator visit for her class  2nd Place Name: Xander Age: 8 School: Morwell Central Primary School Class: ½ A Zander wins a signed paperback copy of Raymund and the Fear Monster  3rd Place3rd Place Name: Leonardo Age: 8 School: Chairo Primary School Class: 2 JJN Wins a signed poster from Raymund and the Fear Monster  Phew! I'll be posting Finley's prize off to him this week, and delivering the other prizes to the local school on Friday. Good luck and happy Fear Monster taming.
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When you have lived with fear your whole life, it takes years to learn a new way of living, and thinking. I’m not talking about the type of fear that is healthy, the one that keeps you safe; the fear that you can make friends with. I’m talking about the type of fear that is crippling and holds you back from living an amazing life.
I’ve lived with fear my whole life. In the past few years, I’ve learned how to overcome the crippling fear that held me back and I’m living a life that I only dreamed about. Recently, I had fear rise up. A new fear. I had no idea where it came from, and, to tell you the truth, I had no idea what I was supposed to do with it. This fear was different, and it was to do with the Overcoming Fear, Living Courageously workshops I’ve talked about. I kept putting them off. I wasn’t even researching. I stopped reading the book I had bought to help me prepare these workshops. I procrastinated. And I’m not one to procrastinate. I don’t put things off… normally. I was getting so frustrated with it all. I was ready to pack the whole idea away. I don’t need to have these workshops; I reasoned to myself. I wondered what on earth was going on with me. I tried to push through and shove how I was feeling down. That behaviour only brought everything to a grinding halt… again. I finally decided to put half an hour a day to finish reading the book I was mainly using for research. A small step towards my goal. During my reading I came across a story about a boy who was anxious about a play he was in. When asked why he was so anxious he replied, ‘This is really important to me. I’m afraid to stuff it up.’ Until recent years, I’d lived with fear controlling me my whole life, but now it doesn’t. I’ve learned to manage my emotions and not be controlled by them. So, this whole fear of completing and running these Overcoming Fear workshops was nuts to me. When I read this story, it resonated within me and I realised why I couldn’t move forward. These workshops are super important to me and I don’t want to stuff them up. However, I want to share what I’ve learned with others, children and adults alike. I want to be able to empower children, and adults, to overcome fear and live a courageous life. And, I also realised something else. I would've wanted to run these workshops even without my book, ‘Raymund and the Fear Monster’. The book has only served as a catalyst towards me planning these workshops. Now that I realise this, I can get on with creating these workshops. I have my ‘why’. I won’t suppress how I feel. I look at it, recognise the emotion, name it, and then deal with the emotion appropriately. And I will take it one small step at a time so I don’t overwhelm myself. Here is a quote from the book, The Opposite of Worry by Lawrence J. Cohen, Ph.D. “The solution (to suppressing your emotions) is to emotionally move step-by-step toward each scary feeling.
It is by doing this I will get these workshops done, one step at a time.
I want to encourage you today, to look fear in the face and take a step towards it. One small step. Allow yourself time to feel what you are feeling. And, when you are ready, take another step. For some, it may be a just taking public transport for the first time by themselves. For others, it may be standing up to speak for two minutes in front of people you don’t know. My challenge is for you to do the above exercise this week. As for me, I’ll try Facebook Live. Let me know how you go. Until next time, Live courageous.
My first Facebook Live video.
Below: My second Facebook Live a week later.
Week 3: Think about what you're thinking about.
Disclaimer: This is not intended for clinical use. These videos and blog post are dealing with the general symptoms of fear and anxiety. It's me sharing my personal experiences and what I've learned. If necessary, seek professional help.
If you've enjoyed this post, feel free to like, comment, and/or share.
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My two cents by Megan Higginson
Yes! Finally! After much talk and discussion, Raymund and the Fear Monster is getting published.
I tried for an Art Grant last year to obtain the funds to self-publish my story, Raymund and the Fear Monster, and did not get it (I was up against published authors). I looked into crowdfunding (it is a lot of work and I was not sure that I had the energy to put into it to make it work). By mid this year I was not sure if I would ever get Raymund published.
However, each perceived setback I looked at as an opportunity to hone and refine Raymund. I took him to school, teacher friends have read them to their respective classes, and I have read Raymund to various people that I have meet around the creative writing field. Everyone loves Raymund. I’ve taken various suggestions on board to make Raymund as good as it possibly can be. And now, Ester and I are taking the plunge together into the world of self-publishing.
I love Ester's work and I know that the illustrations for Raymund and the Fear Monster are in fantabulous hands.
I am thrilled that it is finally happening and I know that Ester can’t wait to make a start on the illustrations. So, this week, I will be sending Raymund off to my editor for a final look over, before sending the manuscript on to Ester to get started. I am so excited.
So, people, watch this space. Raymund will be arriving (barring any unforeseen circumstances) late next year. Yay!
Blurb:
A monster that eats fear, is terrorising Raymund’s village. Raymund is small and not very brave. Will Raymund be able to overcome his fear, defeat the monster and save his village?
This book has proven strategies to overcome fear.
Ages 5-8
Yes! Finally! After much talk and discussion, Raymund and the Fear Monster is getting published.
I tried for an Art Grant last year to obtain the funds to self-publish my story, Raymund and the Fear Monster, and did not get it (I was up against published authors). I looked into crowdfunding (it is a lot of work and I was not sure that I had the energy to put into it to make it work). By mid this year I was not sure if I would ever get Raymund published.
However, each perceived setback I looked at as an opportunity to hone and refine Raymund. I took him to school, teacher friends have read them to their respective classes, and I have read Raymund to various people that I have meet around the creative writing field. Everyone loves Raymund. I’ve taken various suggestions on board to make Raymund as good as it possibly can be. And now, Ester and I are taking the plunge together into the world of self-publishing.
I love Ester's work and I know that the illustrations for Raymund and the Fear Monster are in fantabulous hands.
I am thrilled that it is finally happening and I know that Ester can’t wait to make a start on the illustrations. So, this week, I will be sending Raymund off to my editor for a final look over, before sending the manuscript on to Ester to get started. I am so excited.
So, people, watch this space. Raymund will be arriving (barring any unforeseen circumstances) late next year. Yay!
Blurb:
A monster that eats fear, is terrorising Raymund’s village. Raymund is small and not very brave. Will Raymund be able to overcome his fear, defeat the monster and save his village?
This book has proven strategies to overcome fear.
Ages 5-8
Making progress. I can't wait to see it all finished.
Like this? Please share with your friends.
Author
On my blog you will find:
I'm passionate about helping people overcome their fears and live courageously.
I love to share as I learn.
I have dyslexia.
I share what it is like living with a chronic illness, Fibromyalgia, and learning to live in the moment and enjoy my life.
There are writing tips from my Writers' Group, Dribbles and Scribbles, as well as short stories that my friends and I have written.
I am a qualified Youth Worker and Education Support Worker. I am a Member of the Australian Society of Authors.
The content on this blog is information only and the author is not liable for what you, the reader, do (or not do) with that information.
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