The Dread Factor

When I was in junior high, I had my first introduction to the ‘Sadie Hawkins’ style dances. This is the kind of dance where the girls will ask the boys. In most cases the dances were at the start of the new year in January and the girls would start asking the boys in October. So in other words, there was no excuse that you could use to say no.

My parents had a great policy for these occasions in that I would go with the first person that asked me. The down side of this policy was that the girls that asked me were typically not the ones that I would have asked out in return. This is when I first discovered The Dread Factor.

As mentioned, the asking was done in the fall and the dance was not until the new year. So I had months to dread the upcoming event. All was not lost though, for my best friend Bruce was in the same boat. So in the end, we would double date and get through these occasions together. But through these experiences, something happened that taught me the very lesson that I hope to share today.
As the occasion would draw near, my dreading of the event would hit its peak. I found myself thinking that I should fake some sort of injury or illness to escape having to go. I never did so of course, as in my mind I knew it would be the wrong thing to do. Plus, Bruce would kill me. So I soldiered on and followed through with the plans. Then something amazing happened.

Once it was time to finally attend the event, it was actually pleasant. The young lady who had honored ME in asking that I escort her, looked beautiful and appeared as never before. Her parents were doting on the both of us and took scores of pictures. The dinners that Bruce and I were attending with these girls were surprisingly fun… and I got to use the manners that my parents had been teaching me for the first time with my peers. Thanks Mom!
In short, the event was nothing like I had imagined. The fact that it was nowhere near as bad as I had dreaded, ended up making it quite fun indeed. Thus I learned the magic of the dread factor.

The event that you are dreading is seldom as bad as the reality of the event itself. So I ask you…What are you dreading? This very morning, I got up very early and made my 6:30 am small group/Bible study at church. Those that know me will tell you that I am not what you would call a morning person. I was dreading getting up extra early to be there on time. But I went and was treated to a wonderful and inspiring lesson, spending time with some very Godly friends. Yesterday I worked out for the first time in a while… I was dreading that as well and feel a little sore today. But I already feel the benefit and look forward to the next one.

This is mid-January…The sounds of new year’s resolutions are still echoing in the air. What are yours for the new year? I have plenty and hope that a few of them might even stick for 2015. But my suggestion for you today is to do the one that you are least looking forward to doing. I bet that it will not be as bad as you think. And if you are on the fence, think of me and my buddy Bruce. Some of those dances were among the best memories of my childhood.
The dread factor will never let you down.

Have a great day and an amazing start to your 2015.  Charlie