What fears have you overcome and how?
Overcoming My Childhood Fear
I developed a natural fear of dogs after a terrifying incident when I was five. One typical hot, sunny day while playing outside my grandparents’ house in Mexico, a medium-sized dog mauled me. Even though I was so young, the memory is still vivid.
I was with my siblings and cousins, and being the youngest and most curious, I wandered away from the group. Our house was on a private alley, a dead end, and as I neared the end, I saw the dog. It fixed its eyes on my tiny self and began to chase me. I ran, but my little legs were no match for its four. While I wasn’t horribly mauled or hospitalized, it did bite my leg and arm.
For years afterward, I was incredibly fearful and cautious around dogs. It took a long time to overcome that fear.
At the age of 25, on a routine vacation, we went to a Tianguis, which is essentially a miles-long flea market.
The word ‘tianguis’ comes from the Nahuatl word ‘tiyānquiztli,’ which means ‘open-air market,’ and they have a history that dates back to pre-Hispanic times. Amidst the vibrant chaos of a massive open-air market, a true bazaar, I met him – my best friend for the next 15 years. He was a beautiful multipoo, all black fur, save for a perfect, diamond-shaped fleck of white on his chest.
My Life’s Journey
At the age of 21, I made my home with my then-girlfriend, now my wife of more than a quarter-century. Together, we forged a path, operating a cell phone store in the vibrant heart of Spanish Harlem, Manhattan. This endeavor continued for four years, until a routine journey to Mexico brought me back with a most precious gift for my beloved: a charming little multipoo, whom she christened Raja.
