Welcome to another fresh start Monday, where we change the narrative… Today we will be looking at fear’s grip on us. Have you ever found yourself so paralyzed, so stricken by a certain emotion that you become afraid to even take a step forward?
Just as we experience the emotions of joy, sadness, love and anger, so too we experience the emotion of fear. It creeps upon us from time to time, subtly taking control, inhibiting our movement, limiting our growth.
Fear has power over us if we let it. Once it seeps into our lives, it becomes hard to rid ourselves of it. Fear can sometimes be misread and misunderstood, but we must be able to identify it once it begins, before it takes root in our lives.
I have come to learn that change is one of the main contributors of fear. We fear that which is different, things we cannot control, that is our human nature.
Let’s think of the journey of a new parent, for example. The first trip to the park can be quite nerve racking as simple as it appears. Children are overjoyed for the new environment and excited for the exploration. While their parents experience fear in the mix of the joy they bask in. Thoughts such as, will he be alright on the slide? Will she fall and bruise her knees? Will he fall suddenly ill? Will she throw a tantrum?
A parent’s fear can grow the further away the child is, and the reason for the distance may be quite normal and justifiable, such as going to work. But that does not nullify the fear experienced. It is important, that we as parents realize that even though our fears may be valid, giving in to our fears will limit our children’s ability to grow.
“Each of us must confront our own fears, must come face to face with them. How we handle our fears will determine where we go with the rest of our lives. To experience adventure or to be limited by the fear of it.”
Judy Blume
Using that scenario, it is clear that fear is a deterrent, a stumbling block on our path to achieving greatness. Imagine quitting before we are out of the starting block because we are afraid that the road may be rocky, windy or may have to exert too much energy to reach the goal. then, we would be defeated before we even begin.
Sometimes, we are holding back ourselves from moving forth, the fear of failing, not being good enough. We find ourselves trying to achieve perfection in things not meant to be achieved, we begin to settle for less than our dreams and start to procrastinate.
May we remember that we are in control of our energy, so we can divert the energy we use when fearful into motivation to succeed. When I think of succeeding through fear, an adrenaline rush comes to mind. Adrenaline is produced during stressful situations, sending the body into a mode of overdrive allowing the individual to respond through fight or flight. Fear could be likened to such a stressful situation that acts as a trigger, allowing us to overcome any obstacle.
To overcome fear, first we must be willing to face it. We must have an understanding of ourselves, our strength and weakness. Fear will befriend us, but we must remain in control and not allow fear to overpower us.
May we reclaim fear’s power on us and change our narrative…
