Why does 2-year old Gabrielle refuse to walk up the stairs without someone behind her? She’s afraid she’s being followed by monsters. Where did she get that idea?

Why does my arm hair stand on end when I look into a mirror in an empty room?

Why do I continue having panic attacks on planes when I am told over and over flying is safer than driving, but use my lead foot with abandon on the highway without so much as a shiver?

Why do you scream when you are startled, even when your brain knows a split-second before you scream that whatever startled you is harmless? (I actually know the answer to that, thanks to a pscyhology class I’ve taken! The physiological reaction to something is just that much faster than the mental analysis of a fear-inducing situation).

Why is deep water such a freaky concept? Is it fear of the unknown? Would it be better if it was clear and you could see ALL THE WAY DOWN? (Eek! No!)

Why am I always worried about how other people feel, to the extent of making my own self look or feel bad in order to spare others?

Why am I afraid to disagree with people or why do I find it so hard to stick up for what I honestly believe a lot of the time?

Why do elephants fear mice? Because they do – Mythbusters proved it! 

 Why do I avoid going out in thunderstorms because of the lightning but don’t avoid going out on sunny days without sunscreen, when my risk for getting skin cancer is WAY higher than my risk for being hit by lightning?

Why am I still afraid of admitting a mistake I’ve made when I’ve made so many mistakes that dealing with them should be second nature by now?