Vera Koo: Shing Ping and Facing Your Fears

By Vera Koo, Women’s Outdoor News, Published December 2, 2013

One of America’s great leaders, Franklin D. Roosevelt, once said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” This mantra is etched into American hearts and American history. But, what is our obsession with fear? Why do we actively attempt to deny panic while eternally chasing courage?

Fear resides within everyone. Its very essence equalizes our world. But ask yourself truthfully, what can fear do to you? I believe that fear is simply avoiding interaction with something right in front of you.

Are you going to perish from the effort of facing your fears? Are you going to be physically hurt from the exertion? If not, then you are simply fearful. Could it be that you are afraid to face the possibility of weakness? Maybe it is the anxiety that you will not perform to the best of your abilities.

Facing your deepest fears may result in a bruised ego or injured pride, but that cost may be worth paying. Maybe you will be embarrassed in front of many people. Perhaps you will perform poorly. But to grow and achieve, you must cross that line. There is balance between fear and courage: believe that if you are willing to suffer this time, then you are working to improve your future.

My First Competition

I freely admit that my first competition was terrifying. I’ve grown so much since then. That first competition was in a shooting school. I attended classes many years ago to learn about handgun safety. After a few sessions, I set an initial goal of becoming the best female shooter in the school. It took me 3 months. My next goal was to continue learning and achieving until I turned 50-years old. One benchmark within this goal was to become the best shooter, regardless of gender, in the class. That goal took me 6 more quarters to achieve.

As a final exam, each student was required to shoot a myriad of targets in multiple positions. The targets ranged from bowling pins to paper plates. In practice, I was very accurate. But, I had no speed. Standing on the line during that first competition, I remember feeling the fear of pressure for the first time. It was my first time shooting against another competitor, and he happened to be the best shooter in the class. I faltered under my fears.

I knew that I could do better. So, I re-enrolled in the course and spent the term practicing with a BB gun and cans. I purchased used bowling pins from local bowling alleys and hauled the pins to the range. I practiced shooting bowling pins for hours.

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