Face Up

Freddy Nieuwendyk was working undercover. His assignment was to bust the jewel-theft ring of Joe Cabot. After the right recommendations, Freddy was selected to work on a job with a six man crew. But first he had to meet Joe and establish his credentials. The undercover team was prepared for this and provided Freddy with a story of a funny incident that happened while he was on another job. He related that he was making a marijuana deal at a train station when he had to take a piss. He walked into the bathroom, with the weed in a hand bag, and there stood a group of cops with a police dog. They weren't there for him, they were just hanging out in the Men's room. So Freddy casually emptied his bladder, washed his hands, and left. Joe was pleased with his actions and how he handled himself.
"You know how to handle that situation - just shit your pants and dive in and swim."
Joe Cabot
Reservoir Dogs, 1992

The words of Joe Cabot always come to mind when I'm going into a situation I'm dreading or when I suddenly find myself in an unexpected situation that could turn out bad if I crack under the pressure. Long before I ever heard these words of wisdom, I used this skill to extricate myself from a sticky situation. During my drug-fueled high school days, I was stopped by a police officer while under the influence. I was walking away from campus during school hours when he rolled up on me. I had drugs on me but I didn't act afraid or nervous, I wasn't doing anything wrong. I had learned years earlier that when you're doing something wrong the last thing you want to do is act like you're doing something wrong. The police officer took my name and address, asked me a few questions which I answered satisfactorily, and told me to get home. I knew how to handle that situation.

Joe Cabot also served me well when I went back to college and had to take a speech class. I hate getting up in front of people and, as strange as it sounds, I was more nervous anticipating taking the stage then when I actually got up there. I needed something to prod me into moving and Joe was there, "Shit your pants and dive in and swim."

It's okay to be afraid, just do what you have to do. We all face situations like this in our lives and it helps to have the reassurance that fear of the unknown is normal. But don't let that stop you from doing what needs to be done. There's no sense in running away, you'll have to face up to it sooner or later, so it's best to face it head on. On your own terms.