There was an epidemic of chicken pox when I was about 10. Everyone in my community was infected. I had it bad during that summer holiday and by the beginning of a new school year, I was covered in scars. It was easy to see the damage the chicken pox did to my skin. Everyone could see and I attracted a lot of unnecessary attention.

The attention I attracted had a huge impact on my life. Among the children in my class were a set of twins. One was a girl and the other one was a boy. For reasons I did not understand, these twins felt it was alright to taunt me due to the spots on my skin.

The girl twin was a very strong character. The brother on the other hand really didn’t do much, but, copy his sister. They didn’t look anything alike and could be pass as total strangers.

The twins found it funny that I was covered in spots and scars and soon this turned to teasing. I was picked upon. Soon it turned to full blown bullying. Everywhere I went the twins were there to challenge me. I was nicknamed “the spotty one” by the twins and soon my real name was temporarily forgotten. I was pushed to a breaking point. The twin used all avenues and their strength to torment me.

I became withdrawn. I avoided the twins. I would rather stay in the classroom during playtime or played in the quiet part of the school compound than to wander around. Soon, I started playing alone. I gave excuses for staying behind to play. I was afraid of bumping into any of the twins. They were loud, funny and popular. They knew how to make fun of anyone. I was too timid to do anything. They had their gang. I was a loner. I hated the spots which brought so much shame on me. I forgot about my right. I let the twins pushed me around.

I was playing alone one day at the quiet corner of our school compound when one of the twins came around and tugged at me. I walked away afraid of what might happen. He pulled me as I was trying to escape his grip and his entourage laughed. I tried to escape wriggling myself around, but, he would not let go of me. He ordered his friends to join him in singing the “Spotty Song”. I  was angry and frustrated with all the noises and singing and the tormenting, I turned around and faced my fear. I charged headlong at him.

I had a sudden surge of courage and strength out of pure frustration. I  pushed my attacker, he lost balance as he was not expecting anything of me. I pushed, punched and slapped him while he was down on the ground. I seized the rare opportunity. The crowd cheered. I fed him with sand which signified victory. That moment changed everything.

All of a sudden, the bullying stopped. The tugging, tormenting and name-calling all stopped. I was free. I could play freely. I was at peace at last.

I have faced greater challenges after that incident. I was 10 a few decades ago. I have grown to learn a bit more about the world we live after that incident. I had let people push me to a breaking point again and again. I had kept quiet when I was supposed to talk. I had put up some unimaginable flawless facade to mask up against my innermost despair. Facing my fear and challenging the situations have always been the way out.

Your challenge might be the job you don’t like, it might be that friend that always pull you down or perhaps it’s a step you are afraid to take or the plunge you are scared off. You see, I have learnt a bit about pulling the plug or taking that cold plunge and to be honest, things always turn out to be what you never expected.

Whenever you at that point or afraid to FACE YOUR FEAR, ask yourself this question: What is the worse case scenario if I face this fear?

To be honest, you have nothing, absolutely nothing to lose. Challenge yourself. FACE THAT FEAR!!!