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I sometimes think I was born with fear. I often wonder if something happened to me when I was a little girl that I am unaware of. As far back as I can remember, I was afraid of my shadow. I hid behind my Mothers legs - afraid to speak up for myself and afraid to go to school. I hated being alone. Especially alone in the house after dark. I would literally give myself an anxiety attack and hide under my covers until someone came home. And back in those days, we didn't have cell phones or computers, the house phone was the only connection to the outside world. I pushed through my entire childhood like this... and cheated myself along the way. The fear held me back from so many things that I wanted to do. And it also allowed me to do things I should have never done. Fear is a very powerful emotion, if you don't keep it in proper perspective and under control, it can paralyze you and destroy your potential in life.
I no longer let fear get the best of me. It's still there, but I go against the grain, I push through it and I don't let it hold me back. When I feel fear coming on... I take a moment to relax and put things into perspective. I ask myself a few simple questions... like what exactly am I really afraid of, are my fears realistic or inflated, and what do I want or need to carry out. I also do deep yoga breaths and visualize something peaceful. I replaced my overwhelming feelings of fear with aggressive confidence, mantra's, and good old-fashioned faith. It was the death of my Father that allowed me this life changing epiphany. I watched my Father turn into another human being out of fear. He hurt his family, alienated himself and ultimately lost his life... all based on fear.
People stay in a fruitless job, live where they don't want to live, and don't speak up for themselves for fear of what others will think or say about them. So many people stay in bad relationships or let the love of their life pass them by for fear of vulnerability and committment - and in the end, live a life of longing and disappointment... all based on fear.
Don't let fear control your world. And don't expect to not be fearful. Just like love, hate, anger, sadness or happiness - all emotions are ever-present, but not permanent. Embrace every feeling and every emotion while you continue to move forward in life.
"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will allow my fear to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone I will turn my inner eye to see its path. And where the fear has gone, there will be nothing. Only I will remain." ~Frank Herberts Dune
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Debrah very thoughtful article...Your expressions are very convincing