I came home recently and was told the startling news.

“Someone saw a Squirrel in the closet of one of the rooms. We closed the door.” It was now my job to check if it was still there and, if the need be, to remove it.

I was not afraid – well a little nervous. I remember when I had the squirrel in our other home. I was brave and caught the squirrel in a box and let him go. (He was a bit cute).

I took my equipment to protect myself – I had thick work gloves and my mint spray. Squirrels don’t like mint.

Before entering, I knocked hard on the door to hear if it was still there.

I thought I heard a noise of scrambling.

I turned on the light and creaked open the door.

I was nervous. I thought it would jump out at any second.

After checking carefully I found nothing.

Healthy and Non-Healthy Fear

There is healthy fear and non-healthy fear. Fear to be prudent is good. Fear of G-d is good. Fear of the imaginary is not good. It stifles a person.

So what to do?

Deal with it.

Slowly expose yourself to the situation you fear.

If you fear going on job interviews – ask someone you trust to do a mock interview with you. Look at it as a challenge as something to be excited about – rather than to be apprehensive about.

Talk it out with others.

Build up your confidence slowly. Remember situations in which you were exposed to the fear and you overcame it or there was a positive outcome.

And pray to Hashem to help you.

As in my case – that the squirrel doesn’t jump out.

(By the way, someone told me if an animal ever enters a house, leaving the window open is recommended so it has a way to get out. Animals don’t like to be trapped indoors.)