I think fear takes a bad rap. Often advice when we’re afraid is to turn it into faith or only thing we have to fear is fear itself. Don’t ignore your fear or tell yourself there is nothing to be afraid of. Process it, talk about it with another person, there is likely something there to examine or action to take.
When we feel afraid there is a perceived threat which triggers a response or a warning we need to heed before we dismiss it. Sometimes the lions, tigers and bears are real.
I have some very important decisions to make, work to do, calls that need to be made and I’m afraid. The feeling is valid and there are real things to be afraid of here, however there are also things that need to be done which are unpleasant – I am avoiding these decisions and avoiding the actions – this is making the fear persist and become more intense as days pass. In fact when I try to repress emotions I become physically ill – I can’t put this off any longer, I value myself and my sanity too much to stay in this place.
One of the benefits of fear is that it forces us to consider options, to make promises or put an action plan in place. Persistent fear is destructive and so once we examine and make a decision about the validity of fear then we use courage and faith to move through it. Practice insight and examine it. Once you identify the source make a decision to take action. Give it to your higher power, whatever that means to you, and keep walking forward.
Today I am not going to dismiss the fear but use it inspire me to action. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to execute in response to each issue, but I will practice faith and move in on them. I will muster the courage to face it. I’ll make the calls, submit the paperwork, inform someone close of a decision to close the door.
Don’t dismiss the feelings that come up in response to events, embrace them and use the conflict to drive the action. Listen to the fear but don’t let it rule you. Step out of it and into action…be the ball.
