Fear

Fear is indeed an ingrate guest in our mind, soul, and body. Fear can drain our energy and stop our best self from rising and manifesting our inner essence. We have all experienced fear, actually, the ability to feel fear is one of the most human traits we posses. However, what we do in the face of fear is what dictates the outcome. It is easy to paralyze in the presence of fear. Fear makes us “fight or flight”, as it is explained in psychology. It may take a while for individuals to realize what they want or need to do in the face of fear. We all have had instances in which we fight right away when confronted with fear; in other instances we paralyze but find courage to overcome the inertia that comes with fear and act; some other times we become static and let fear take over our lives for good.

Psychologists would say that most humans are in fear of the unknown and in fear of change. That is primarily true for all kinds of fear. Either we are in fear of the situation because we do not know how to deal with it, or because we do not know what and how the end result will be. Either we feel fear because we do not want to deal with the turmoil that change unravels before it finally materializes into the end result, or because we are uncertain about how much better or worse things will turn if we accept change and let it take its course. Ultimately, we are always in fear of getting hurt in the change processes that life proposes.

I believe the pain that we may experience when confronting our fears is temporary and sometimes necessary to expose the magnificence of what should be instead of what it is. Something is for sure: we are the only ones who can deal with our own fear. We can be willing to offer our assistance so others can conquer their demons and fight the skeletons in their closet, but ultimately it is up to each individual to stand up, look at fear right in the eye, and decide whether they want to fight or to flight. It is up to each individual to decide upon what role fear will take in their lives and how they will deal with it in the short and long run. Dealing with fear is risky, but no fight is risk free.

Here is something that I read this morning that can probably better explain fear and the effect it has on us. I hope everyone finds it useful, myself included.

Walking Through Your Fear

The Daily OM

The situations, activities, and individuals that frighten us remain static. Their relative intensity does not change. Fear, on the other hand, self-magnifies. It is when you are afraid and envisioning all that might go wrong that the energy underlying your fear grows. A tiny flicker of anxiety can easily develop into a terror that manifests itself physically and eventually paralyzes you into inaction…Though fear is literally an evolutionary gift meant to sharpen your senses and energize you during times of great stress, it can nonetheless become a barrier that prevents you from fulfilling your potential by causing you to miss out on rewarding, life-changing experiences. During the period before you face your fear, you may have to deal with a barrage of negative thoughts and emotions. Walking through it, whether your fear is public speaking, taking part in an activity that makes you nervous, or asserting yourself when the odds are against you, may be equally as difficult. But once you have emerged unscathed on the other side, which you will, you will likely wonder why you assumed the worst in the first place. As you spend time worrying about what might happen, it's good to know that your fear probably won't happen at all. It may feel like a great weight has been lifted from your shoulders, and you will likely feel a sense of passionate pride. Walking through your fear can! mean taking risks and can require both practice and patience…You will also find that when you are willing to stare your fear in the face, the universe will always offer you some form of aid or support. When you see the heights of accomplishment and personal evolution you can attain when you walk through your fears, your faith in yourself will grow, allowing your next step to be easier.