5/17/05: Fear, fear, everywhere, not a drop to drink

Why are we so afraid?

We go about our daily lives, afraid to talk to strangers in fear they might reject us, afraid to touch others in fear they might be offended, afraid to speak the truth in fear it may not be accepted.

We are afraid to venture beyond our comfort zone in fear of uncertainty. We are afraid to take risks in fear we might lose everything. We are afraid to open our hearts in fear we might feel pain. We are afraid to be challenged in fear we might fail. We are afraid to be ourselves in fear we’re not good enough.

The problem is not the fear itself, it is our denial of it. We do not know we are allowing fear to control us. And if we happen to realize it, we justify it, thereby making it acceptable in our minds. Fear disguises itself in many forms, some of which include laziness, boredom, fatigue, perfection, control, busyness and procrastination.

The key to resolution is first to become aware of it, acknowledging it fully, then simply let it be. Fighting fear only gives fear more power. The way to free ourselves from the grip of fear is to simply feel it and get on with our lives anyway, forge ahead and do the thing you want to do despite the fear. We no longer need to deny, justify or validate it.

So we are afraid. So what? Be afraid.

And get on with it anyway.

Next time you feel that familiar pang of fear, simply take a big gulp of it, and get on with your life anyway.