One of Our Biggest Predators: Fear.7/11/2020 “Of all the liars in the world, sometimes the worst are our own fears.” - Rudyard Kilpling Fear. It is an inescapable emotion. It often strikes when we feel at our weakest. When worry and anxiety overwhelm us and threaten to choke our last breaths. FEAR comes in like raging hurricane demolishing all rational thought in its path. Sometimes fear builds slowly. Stirring in the embers of uncertainty and insecurity. It smolders in the ashes and flickers flames of doubt. It is a fuel that can drive the engine of our mind, causing us to spin out of control. So, how do we conquer it? How do we conquer whatever the fear is that threatens to suffocate us? It is not an easy thing. But, it is a feat for us all to overcome. Because we all have things we are afraid of. People, situations, or moments that intimidate us; objectives to fulfill; tasks to conquer! But, in some manner we are afraid. Something about whatever it is scares us. Perhaps it’s a new circumstance at work or school. Shoot, venturing out to a grocery store or mall is downright terrifying for some people these days during these strange times. Maybe it’s opening yourself up to a new job or relationship. Perhaps it’s trying something new or asking for something that you’ve never done before. I used to think, “Fake it ‘til you make it.” (And, I still partly believe this.) But, I also think there’s a second part to this. You have to do the thing you’re afraid of, and then you gradually get the courage and confidence to attack it. If you wait to be ready to do something, you’ll never get there. How do you get yourself to do it if you’re scared? It’s simple and complex, a paradox for sure. Marcus Aurelius said, “If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.” YOU have the power to revoke it. You must DO the thing you’re afraid of. There is no easy way around it. No trick or words I can say to make it easier. Except perhaps this: Our imagination and the thoughts that occur, are most likely (and 99% of the time) far worse and far scarier than whatever fearful reality we are about to face. Will it be difficult? Yes. Will you be scared? Definitely. Will your absolute WORST fear happen? Probably not. Probably not even close. Sometimes? Yeah, the universe kicks us in the balls and takes us down. SOMEtimes. Most times? We rise. Do I need to remember to take my advice? Absolutely. I have been gripped with fear many times. But, I'm still here. And some of the things I fear have gotten less scary. So, when fear threatens to choke you, or stop you from doing something you really want, or don’t know if you want, but can’t decide if you do… Push that little mongrel down, take a deep breath, and forge ahead. Because you are stronger than you think. There might be something amazing waiting for you just around the corner, but how will you ever get there if you don’t take that first scary step? Lace up those shoes and move. There’s a life of wonderful, scary, challenging, amazing things out there for you. What are you waiting for? Fear? Never forget, YOU are the one with the power to revoke it. “Fear has two meanings: Forget Everything And Run, or Face Everything and Rise. The choice is yours.”
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AuthorJulie Cassar, Best Selling Archives
September 2023
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