FEAR "False Evidence Appearing Real"

Fear can be crippling. Sometimes it's not even a real thing we fear. It's not like a big hairy spider crawling above your head while you're lying in bed reading and you see its shadow before you see its body. The squish in the Kleenex is about the worst thing, next to stepping in dog poop barefoot.

Fear is something that keeps us from our biggest accomplishments. Today when we spoke about our skills I saw a lot of fear in your eyes. Like I just asked you to go get the Kleenex (maybe that's just me).

What creates fear is either a past experience. I tried to kill a spider once, and I missed (maybe 'cause I had my eyes closed) and it landed on me. I’m sure I heard it laughing all the way under the dresser before sticking its tongue out.

Fear can come from our own imagination. We fear the unknown. We fear the known. We fear what people will think of us if we make a certain choice. We fear being wrong, embarrassed, challenged and I’m sure you can come up with many more.

How do we conquer our fears?

Remember back when you tried something for the first time? Riding a bike, swimming, jumping off the high dive or going on a date? How did you conquer it? How did you get over that fear? You just did it! You got on that bike and continued to ride until it was no longer fearful but instead a new hobby. Do you still have those same fears? They may seem childish but the same way you got over those fears is the same way you get over your current fears.

Adults spend a lot of time sabotaging themselves. They think the worst and their bodies respond to it. We can create whatever it is that we think. If we think we are strong we will be. If we think we are weak we will be. You get to choose your own thoughts. You can stress yourself out, you can even make yourself sick. Many people in today’s society do just that. We are a highly medicated society where escaping our fears and emotions is the norm today.

What are you doing about it to make sure you make it out alive and kicking? Pick a lesser fear and find a way around, under or through it. How can you get through this thing that is hold you back from your own success? 

Once you get through your fear many things happen. One for sure is that now you can say you did it! Another is that maybe this new thing brings out new opportunities for you. But one big thing it does is raise your self esteem. Once you can do that you build more and more confidence to take on the world and are able to do everything you have always wanted.

Which leads me to my next journal topic: “What do you want?”

Ooh this one will be loads of fun! Have a great day!

Comments

[Rose Leigh]

This is very well written, and after first reading it a few days ago, I actually took some time to think about the effects fear has had on my life recently. You also raised a great point that many of us overlook - the known is just as scry as the unknown.

Thanks for sharing and prompting some much needed personal reflection.

In addition, the little, hairy spider living on my fridge magnet wasn't as scary as he originally seemed. He lives in my cactus now! When I first saw him, I was too afraid of him to move him.