Fear is such a powerful emotion. Have you found out? It causes us to question our abilities, stifle our imagination, and give up on our goals. That is no way to live.
I have spent years researching fear, and here is what I have discovered: It is impossible to defeat, disprove, ignore, repress, or reject it. If you ignore or deny fear, you will only receive more of its well-known side effects, such as self-doubt, perplexity, and limitations.
Removing fear’s power is the only logical, long-term solution to the problem. How would one go about doing that? By allying with terror? Take the bold decision to face your fear head-on.
Making Fear Your Friend
Although it may seem illogical, this is how it operates. Fear gains strength from resistance. Unspoken fear seeps into your thoughts and consumes your physical being. However, if you give it your whole, undivided attention, it emerges from the shadows.
Once you know how fear influences your decisions, you can make new ones by following your aliveness, enthusiasm, completeness, and love. This is the start of genuinely living and the end of the little, fear-driven self.
Learn to recognize fear in all of its manifestations. Make learning your way of life. Acknowledge how it distorts your perception and leads you to believe you are not your brilliant, fantastic self.
Your fear will become less potent than yours if you learn to understand it. Make it your lifelong buddy, and it will start singing its unique, lovely tune.
The Body of Fear
Some of us are born with a body predisposed to dread. You may be more prone to inner uneasiness, stress, and anxiety.
Make it a habit to become familiar with these bodily experiences. At that point, you’ll be able to spot the fear seed beginning to sprout. Direct your focus to the tight and tense areas within yourself, starting with the most loving place within. Avoid pushing them away or analyzing them. Just breathe and feel, that’s all.
Recognize that these are merely bodily experiences. There’s no need to base your decisions on them or write a story around them. Just acknowledge them and carry on with the task of leading your lovely life.
You can help your body, which is prone to fear, by exercising, doing yoga, deep breathing, going for walks outdoors, and engaging in meditation. Be a gracious host, even when fear comes to town. Recognize the core completeness within you that has remained unaffected by fear, and operate from that place.
The Mind of Fear
All ideas of fear revolve around “no.” They say we shouldn’t, can’t, and aren’t capable of doing things. They persuade us that if we communicate our genuine heart’s desire, we will be looked down upon, abandoned, or rejected. They create a constant state of concern in our brains. Which of these seem familiar to you?
- I can’t let them down.
- I might fail.
- I don’t think I’ll be able to.
- I could become overburdened.
- It will be too much labour for me.
- I’m sure they won’t approve.
- What if I receive criticism?
- It’s going to be uncomfortable for me.
- What if things get challenging?
- I am still trying to figure out where to begin.
- I’m afraid—really, very afraid.
Feelings like a familiar web spun by these ideas, leaving you helpless to break free. However, none of them truly represent you.
This is how thoughts of dread operate. They act as though they know what is ahead and only see bad things happening.
What about the future? Is that true? You are ignorant. You may feel overwhelmed or fail. However, your mind, driven by dread, convinces you that you will. And it makes sense why terror immobilizes you if you hold these beliefs.
What if the real thing is even more incredible than you imagined? What would happen if you accepted that you could not predict the future and let events flow organically?
Why waste another moment believing constrained ideas that will lead to bleak results that aren’t even real? This is the remedy for your thoughts that are driven by dread.
- Pay attention to your mind to understand how it functions. Become proficient at identifying ideas prompted by fear.
- Adopt a wise strategy. Never trust them. Acknowledge the fact that you have no idea what the future holds.
- Experience the liberation of freedom from a bleak future that hasn’t yet arrived. Life is so packed with opportunities now. Do you sense it?
The Courage to Act
You now realize how important it is to make friends with your fear.
- You are aware of how fear manifests physically.
- You see how terror takes over your thoughts.
The rubber meets the road at this point. You have the option. What do you want now that fear no longer holds you back? What kind of life do you wish to lead?
By thoroughly understanding fear, you can control its power. Next, discover your voice—the one naturally present within you and that, despite your perception of your fear, cannot be silenced. When you’re ready, take a bow and start singing your beautiful song.
How have you come to know how to use it? It would be wonderful to hear.
Favor and disgrace are like fear. Favor is in a higher place, and disgrace in a lower place. When you win them you are like being in fear, and when you lose them you are also like being in fear. So favor and disgrace are like fear.
