Scared of dogs?

When I was a child at summer camp, I walked back to my dorm in the mountains. It was dark. I could barely see my friends walking next to me. It was quiet. I could hear their breaths. 

Suddenly, a dog barked, shattering the silence, and raced towards us. We ran away.

After that, every time I saw a dog, I tensed. I’d walk to the other side of the street. I was scared.

It didn’t matter how cute the dog was. How friendly. How well-behaved. I was simply scared.

The problem had nothing to do with the dogs. It had to do with the story I was telling myself about dogs. 

Fortunately, we can change the stories we tell ourselves. Now, I’m thrilled to have two playful Maltese dogs, Snowstar and Sunshine, join my life. Every time I see a dog, I feel joy.

Some people have a negative perception of dogs, while others have it with snakes and sharks. On a more serious topic, we may have negative thoughts about specific types of people.

Are these negative thoughts based on what these people are doing? Or is it based on a past story?

How might life be better if we change the stories we tell ourselves?

Thanks for caring!

With gratitude,

Anwell