“I wish my fear would just go away.”

We Can Never Say Too Much About Fear

Fear underlies so much of how we live. Consciously or unconsciously, it affects us on many levels. It is not only within us, but society often programs us to be fearful. Watch out: it’s flu season, others are the enemy and they are coming to get you, you may run out of money before you die. Not that there is not some truth in each of these examples, but they are amplified by others. When we are fearful, we are easier to influence and manipulate. We look to others to keep us safe, when we should be looking to ourselves.

Fear is often not grounded in reality. When fear arises, from the present moment we can look at it and find our way through. It is past memories of fearful situations and anxiety about the future that allows fear to grow. When fear grows, it dominates. Our imaginations take us for a ride, without any connection to the present reality.

People with ill motives derive power from promoting fear. We see it all around us, especially in the present polarization of so many. How much of this polarity is based in fear? Some are fearful and find an enemy to focus on, instead of focusing on what it is they actually are fearful of. In this environment, we need to take fresh looks at what is occurring and how much our fear is compromising us.

Fear’s Effects And Openings

Best get to know fear so we deal with it effectively when it comes to Openings. Fear has no power of its own – it gets its power from us. Fear comes right in where we are most vulnerable. If an Opening is in front of us, it is possible it will evoke fear. That’s natural in the face of the unknown and uncertainty. What will we do with that fear? Face it down? Or let it run away with us in tow? Fear never leads to a good place.

Sometimes, we hang on to our fear. In a convoluted and often subconscious way, we think it keeps us safe and protect us from uncertainty. When we are in fear, we are tied up in knots and are no longer in the present moment. We are not, then, in a place to decide whether to enter an Opening.  Fear paralyzes us, restricts our good judgement and holds us back. Why would we want to give in to fear?

Fear and love cannot coexist. Cultivating love can help us deal with fear. Self-love is paramount. We need to nurture our best selves when fear enters. We need to look through a lens of love, loving the journey and realizing an Opening is before us so that we can grow. We must realize that love prevails over fear and if we can keep love alive, we will prevail as well.

Shedding Fear

Shedding fear is a big task, but not an impossible one. Fear only has the power that we give it. To begin shedding our fear, we must bring it out into the open and look at it. Fear likes to hide in dark spaces. When we look at fear, its power diminishes in the face of our courage and gaze. We see it for what it is and from there can figure out how to deal with it.