As I sat at my desk today, I contemplated FEAR. You know, that all too sneaky emotion that often whispers in your ear and sabotages the moment. Fear disguised as security can actually keep us down for years. Remember that the next time a big or maybe even small decision is weighing heavily on you. It's just a decision.
On the other hand, fear can be instrumental to your survival. Fear can alert us not to walk down a dark alley late a night, and possibly help us dodge real danger. This.Is.Scary.
Fear does have a place in our lives. This is the kind of fear we want to discern and listen to. But all to often the most common fears are misplaced in our lives. Wouldn't you agree?
This shouldn't be scary, but too many times, we allow it to be.
So what's the real meaning of fear and what exactly do we tell ourselves about this emotion? What are the little lies that creep into our subconscious and prevent us from carrying out the wishes and desires we have for ourselves?
LET'S FIND OUT...
I looked up the actual definition of the word. Here's what I found:
FEAR: a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined.
Did you catch that? Fear is an emotion caused by real OR imagined danger. Meaning that most likely the majority of the time this emotion catches up with us, it is IMAGINED!
SOME VERY COMMON TYPES OF MISPLACED FEAR:
- FEAR OF FAILURE
- FEAR OF WHAT OTHERS MAY THINK
- FEAR OF REJECTION
Fear of failure, is a huge dream killer in our society. One that should not exist. What is failure? Failure is a learning experiment. That's all. No more, and no less. I believe failure is crucial to our growth in becoming a more dynamic person. As long as we allow failure to be our guide, it can enable us to know what works and what doesn't work. If you flip the script and frame it this way, failure should actually be considered a success.
Fear of what others may think can continually prevent us from living the life that WE choose. We begin to live for others and not for ourselves. We make decisions based on how our parents feel about the situation, or how our friends, lovers, significant others etc...etc...etc...may feel. The list goes on and on. Hell, others could even include strangers. STRANGERS. We sometimes worry what a stranger may think of us, and so we compromise our own beliefs and opinions as to not offend. An individual who we will most likely never see again. Can you believe that? Not healthy.
Fear of rejection is an imaginary fear that should be body-slammed immediately. This fear is prevalent, but in reality is just plain silly. We don't want to walk up to the pretty girl or handsome boy we see at a coffee shop out of fear of rejection. Who cares? So what if they reject us. Move on down the road.
NO, YOU DIDN'T.
So, what are the steps necessary to combat fear when it strikes us at the wrong time?
- RECOGNIZE IT
- ACCEPT IT
- CARRY ON IN SPITE OF IT
OH, AND BREATHE, JUST BREATHE.
That sounds too simple doesn't it? It is just that simple. IT IS.
Remember this quote: Whatever you resist, persists.
LIFE IS SO MUCH MORE FULFILLING, THE MOMENT WE LEARN HOW TO DEAL WITH OUR FEARS. It (life) is waiting for you to say FCUK fear. It's time.