| Fear - we all experience it, yet few understand it. | | | | some of the common fears and their root issues |
| Most folks view fear as a nasty and vile | | | | below: |
| emotional state that breeds anxiety, panic and, in | | | | Fear of Abandonment |
| extreme cases, mayhem in the deepest, darkest | | | | This fear is connected to issues of self-love. Do |
| corners of the mind. And while I agree with that | | | | others continue to abandon you because you |
| analogy, I'm going to show you a side of fear | | | | have abandoned yourself? Rather than trying to |
| that is often overlooked and greatly | | | | weed out the people who won't abandon you, fall |
| misunderstood. | | | | in love with yourself. If you love hanging around |
| Without question, there is a duality to everything | | | | yourself, others will follow suit! |
| that exists in the universe. For example, light can't | | | | Fear of Failure |
| shine without dark, good can't flourish without evil | | | | Some of the most successful individuals in history |
| and fearlessness can't rise in the absence of fear. | | | | failed. Failure is merely a stepping stone to |
| Consequently, evil will never be completely | | | | success. This fear is usually connected to a fear |
| vanquished and neither will fear. To experience | | | | of the unknown or a loss of ones personal power. |
| such an event of singularity would defy universal | | | | Perhaps you're afraid of becoming your true |
| law. However, if we can bring balance to the | | | | powerful self, or maybe you've allowed others to |
| force, then we will have achieved our goal. (Sorry! | | | | usurp your power. It's difficult to believe you are |
| I'm a STAR WARS fan, and I digress) Ponder this | | | | worthy of success when you've submitted to |
| for a moment; what if we could create a world | | | | control and manipulation. |
| that was comprised of an 80/20 split - eighty | | | | Fear of Success |
| percent good and twenty percent evil? Ah, then | | | | This fear is generally connected to issues of |
| we'd have something! That is exactly what I'm | | | | validation or approval from others. Those who |
| proposing when it comes to fearlessness and fear. | | | | suffer from this fear often lack personal identity. |
| Let's face it; even those that appear to be | | | | Are you willing to be yourself and follow your |
| fearless occasionally wrestle with thoughts of fear. | | | | own passions - even if it means disapproval from |
| However, there's one distinct difference, they | | | | others or the loss of a relationship? |
| don't allow fear to paralyze them! Fear can be a | | | | Fear of rejection |
| paralyzing nemesis or an agent of change. I'm | | | | This fear is usually connected to issues of |
| going to show you how to employ the agent of | | | | self-confidence and self-love. Those who suffer |
| change! | | | | from this fear often appease others as a means |
| Before we get to the nuts and bolts of | | | | of garnering affection. Is it easier to stand against |
| overcoming fear, I'd like to shed some light on the | | | | the wall than get into the dance? If you start |
| mainstream perspective. I have listed some well | | | | dancing, you'll have to adopt a set of principles |
| known quotes and common views regarding fear | | | | and stop the people pleasing! |
| below: | | | | OK! It's time to move on to the nuts and bolts of |
| "You must do the thing you think you cannot do!" | | | | how to overcome fear. I've outlined a basic 4 |
| Eleanor Roosevelt | | | | step process below: |
| "The only thing to fear is fear itself!" Franklin | | | | 1. Uncover the Root Issues |
| Delano Roosevelt | | | | Examine your fear. Uncover the issues that are at |
| "You don't face your fears, you stand up to | | | | the core. What are you really afraid of? Have you |
| them." Anon | | | | allowed others to define you? Has someone |
| "Always do what you are afraid to do." Ralph | | | | stripped you of your personal power? Do you feel |
| Waldo Emerson | | | | unworthy because someone has verbally abused |
| "Do not look upon this world with fear and | | | | you. Are you unable to trust others because you |
| loathing. Bravely face whatever the gods offer." | | | | don't trust yourself? Remember, it's not the fear |
| Morihei Ueshiba | | | | that you're afraid of; it's the consequences of the |
| "If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home | | | | underlying issues! |
| and think about it. Go out and get busy." Dale | | | | 2. Establish your Identity |
| Carnegie | | | | When you allow others to define you, it's like |
| Notice that the common theme encompasses | | | | giving them permission to write your |
| facing or conquering fear. I agree that | | | | autobiography. There's only one problem with that |
| fearlessness does require action. And, to put it | | | | - your soul gets lost in the narrative. Stop allowing |
| bluntly, you will have to look your demons | | | | others to define you and dictate your path or |
| squarely in the eye. But to offer that advice to | | | | purpose - even if it means the loss of a |
| the lay person without first exposing the root | | | | relationship with a friend or family member. |
| cause is a bit like putting the cart before the | | | | 3. Embrace Self-Discovery |
| horse. Hearing "You must do the thing you think | | | | If you want to become fearless, you must |
| you cannot do" when fear is coursing through | | | | become comfortable in your own shoes. Don't be |
| every fiber of your being is not something most | | | | afraid to peer into your own soul. Embrace self |
| folks can wrap their arms around. In fact, it | | | | -love and personal evolution. All good things come |
| usually exacerbates the situation! Earlier, I referred | | | | through self-discovery. There's really no down side |
| to fear as a potential agent of change. And, | | | | to becoming your true self. |
| indeed, it can be a powerful ally! However, it can | | | | 4. Take Action |
| also be used as a paralyzing nemesis or what I | | | | Start with setting some boundaries. Adopt a set |
| like to call "A license to avoid change!" Bottom line, | | | | of principles and stand like a rock. Learn to calmly |
| fear is always connected to underlying core | | | | and confident speak your will. When something is |
| issues. It is not necessarily the fear that strikes | | | | wrong, say it's wrong! Take back your personal |
| panic in the hearts of folks, but rather the core | | | | power and write your own script. Live your life in |
| issues and the consequences connected to them. | | | | truth because it really will set you free. And finally, |
| This is what must be addressed if one is to | | | | yes, do the thing that you think you can't do! |
| become fearless. For your benefit, I have listed | | | | |