“Huge benefit of being part of a good crew
Is the chance to embrace
A level of strength, confidence, and safety,
That as an individual
You may not be currently capable of.”
Captain Dianne Glennon- Schooner Pioneer
Autumn Equinox
Southern New Jersey 1980’s

In response to: December 28, 2015 WordPress Prompt: Fearless Fantasies. How would your life be different if you were incapable of feeling fear? Would your life be better or worse than it is now?
Thank you to each and every one of you who have supported JoHannaMassey.com . during this first year of 2015.
So looking forward to writing and reading the forthcoming 2016 flow of our creativity, lives, and skills as expressed on our websites.
Happy New Year.
Today’s Music: Joni Mitchell: Urge For Going
Well, the short answer to a life without fear is: dead. The long answer is: I’m not sure. Ironically, fear has spurred me on. For instance a fear of living the incomplete life motivates me to write, to travel, to fulfill myself in a spiritual way. But without fear…it’s possible I wouldn’t give a hoot about things that are now very important to me, and I would involve myself in insane risk taking. I don’t mean sailing which I’ve done and love, but things like skate boarding down Mt. Fuji or something and well….
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‘fear of living an incomplete life.’ Yes, I totally know what you mean by that.
It wasn’t the sailing away that scared me so many years ago, but the choosing not to.
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I love your sense of wanderlust.
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Thank you dear. Happiest of New Years to you.
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I enjoyed waking up and reading this post first thing this morning JoHanna. Thank you. Always such insightful thoughts and posts.
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Oh thank you dear SueT. Here’s to you having a splendid day.
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So glad to have been a part of your blogging experience and lovely we got to know each other! So glad we met! xxx
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I feel the same way about you Lynz.
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🙂
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That’s a great song that I haven’t heard in years and years and years. Thanks for re-surfacing it.
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Oh isn’t that a charmer of a song. So well sung.
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Fear seems to be such a mixed bag, and hits each of us in a different way, JoHanna. For example, I have no fear of taking off by myself and backpacking for a week in a remote wilderness, but a lot of fear of stepping out onto a dance floor. –Curt
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“I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life and I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing that I wanted to do.”
― Georgia O’Keeffe
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A great statement, JoHanna. And considering what Georgia did with her life, all the more impressive. I am a fan of hers. Here’s another one. “Behold the turtle who never makes any progress without sticking its neck out.” –Curt
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That’s a good one too.
All my best to you Curt.
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Who is Dianne Glennon? Just happens to be my name. Love the post.
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Captain Dianne Glennon was the Captain of the Schooner Pioneer, a historic vessel owned by South Street Seaport Museum located in Lower Manhattan, New York City USA.
A strong and meticulous Captain, whom I respect and will always be grateful to. Good person to share a name with. 🙂
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Thanks for the info. 🙂
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I am so glad we are friends, thanks for always supporting me! http://lynzrealcooking.com/2015/12/29/interesting-and-thought-provoking/
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It is when we conquer fear that we can truly love! A great response to the prompt 🙂
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Thank you. And thank you so much for choosing to follow JoHannaMassey.com That means a lot to me and is so appreciated.
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You are welcome and it’s my pleasure! I saw water and boats and instantly fell in love, being a sea boy and all 🙂
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I’m a desert dweller now. A truly remarkable environment.
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oh, it’s great you are able to adapt…I can adapt in all things but to leave the ocean would mean an imminent demise 🙂
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A sailboat caught my eye. Superb writing held it and Joni Mitchel. Does it actually get better?No, really? No fear; your post crowned my morning with peace today.
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Fits and bursts of “fearless” are a good thing.
Thank you for stopping by and contributing to the conversation.
May you have an excellent 2016.
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Beautiful response to the challenge! The song and Joni Mitchell really brought back many memories of the past….really nice! However what really got my attention was your comment “‘fear of living an incomplete life.’ Yes, I totally know what you mean by that.
It wasn’t the sailing away that scared me so many years ago, but the choosing not to.” That brought tears as I feel the same way…I think some is brought about by getting older and wishing I had done more.. Then there is the wishing to sail away and deciding not to… That is really hard. There are four or five things that come to mind, but the one that stands out and I face everyday..was taken by cancer two years and 26 days ago…
Keep going my friend I love reading your thoughts!
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Thank you so very much for your kind words.
You have such a beautiful and interesting website and I have enjoyed following your adventures.
Let’s surround your 2016 with thoughts for a rollicking good time of it, even if you do not know what “it” is or looks like just yet.
Let yourself be surprised.
All my best to you.
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Your welcome! I so enjoy your posts..reflecting on them and learning from them. Good Advice….rollicking good times are ahead we just have to get out there and open ourselves up!! They will happen each and every day! Happy New Year my friend and my best to you!
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Fear is a constant companion, and while I have grand ideas of living fearlessly were it not a part of my life, it has taught me a great deal about me; about the courage I have regardless of fear’s never ceasing presence.
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I read years ago in The “Course In Miracles” that there are only two governing forces in our lives…love and fear…they are our only two choices in all circumstances, and everything we do and say if ruminated and unraveled to it’s core would come back to either coming from a position of “love” or “fear.” I consider this idea in many situations and find it holds true.
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Blessings in the New Year! and I loved the Joni Mitchell! 🙂
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Hello and best wishes for 2016 to be a rollicking excellent year for you.
Oh isn’t having Joni’s music along in this life just such a gift. No matter what the occasion, celebration,
heartbreak, mood, or fantasy, Joni has music for us to listen to during the the journey.
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I enjoy your insightful thoughts! You make me step back and think. I like that! Hugs to you and to our New Year!
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Thank you. I continue to smile about your Gold Prospecting. Thank you for sharing that really fun and interesting part of your life here in the desert. That photo and essay you have placed on your website could well begin a Gold Rush!
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Oh No!!!! I want the Gold! No Obe else can have it.
Now I see how there was so much turmoil during the gold rush of our history!
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Even better the second time:
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I love it! Saw them in concert last year right here in Phoenix.
Only YOU can call me Gold Dust Woman! HA HA HA HA HA HA
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Bravo JoHanna, floating on water is one thing I do more fancy, so I think its awesome of you to do that. I figure when Jesus told Peter to come join him on the waves faith helped him but when he doubted he flustered. Seems you got that faith :).
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I really like the contrast of the safety of belonging to a crew and the growth that comes from striking out on your own and living with the unknowable. Very nice writing and illustrating.
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Thank you. Some of the best years of my life spent on deck of sailing vessels.
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This is super writing, Johanna and it is true that many lives are crippled by fear. To take a grasp of them, alight on the boat and take them sailing away. Beautiful. Your final question really caught my imagination. Imagine a life without fear -hmm- I’m still musing. For me, that is not possible-although I fight most of them but there must be some who are totally fearless. What are their lives like?
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I recently watched from the safety of my couch a piece on young men who ‘wingsuit fly.’ I simply can not imagine being that fearless. This is what it looks like:
http://news.discovery.com/adventure/extreme-sports/wingsuit-base-jumping-7-coolest-videos-of-all-time.htm
Thank you for contributing to this conversation.
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Yes, well, there are limits to conquering your fear!! I have seen videos of these, totally mad as they are just about uncontrollable. There again I could see my brother or nephew trying something like this.
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This speaks volumes. I love the quote you start w. I have a file w positive affirmations to scribble on empty boards around my office and this has been added to the list.
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Thank you for your kind words. I have a folder just overflowing with quotes, affirmations and positive sayings.
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