“Do one thing every day that scares you.” ― Eleanor Roosevelt
Fear; you can’t escape it.
Imagine a shift in perception, where fear is exhilarating, fun, joyous, and makes you giddy with giggles of anticipation. I ride the roller coaster every year at the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver, and every year I smile inwardly awaiting the day and the moment I get to climb the first hill that sends me careening down the rails at warp speed, knowing there is an infinitesimal chance that the car will fly off the tracks into the abyss, taking me with it, crashing into the crowd below in a flurry of screams.
Of course, what really happens EVERY TIME, is hearing the ear piercing shrieks of delight as the car bumps, grinds, and makes it’s way to the finish, yanking my neck to and fro, sending me a foot off the seat, to be saved by that metal crossbar that held back millions before me. The risk is miniscule – the payoff is exhilarating. It’s terrifying and it’s fun! That’s the point!
I invite you to embrace fear, by eliminating the fear of fear– with anticipation, not trepidation. Experience the unknown on a regular basis to build trust in the outcomes of your everyday life and slowly, a confidence will develop and build on the previous occasion, event, or experience. What if letting go of controlling the outcome made the experience even more fantastic than you could have planned with your limited past experience? Wouldn’t it be incredible if every day were lived as a new and exciting adventure, where we don’t have the experience of outcome to lead us down a path that can cripple us with doubt? Let go of an unknown future of guestimates and what ifs. Be open to possibility instead of dread.
Don’t live in the next six months, or the next two weeks, or even tomorrow. There is only right now, and right now you are safe. In every moment there is only now…, and now…, and now…. Jumping into the future creates unnecessary fear. Manage your now – one now at a time.
The mind doesn’t have to be in control or know what is next. Take life moment by moment, and except the unknown. Demote feelings of anguish, dread, and angst, and replace them with expectations of fun, excitement, and fulfillment. Be in the now. Lead with your heart and put your positive energy in the driver’s seat. That’s how you get there. Since you can’t control the future, planning for the best possible outcome overrides a predetermination to expect the worst.
Take that fear of fear and put it in the paradigm that change is comfortable. Not knowing is brilliant. Putting all energy into now, the only time we ever have control over, will keep the space you hold unencumbered. Fear can’t stop you and it can’t hurt you. Only the fear of fear will stop you in your tracks.
The fear of fear is a vibrational energy. Allow it to move through and out of your body removing paralyzing anguish, doubt, and dread. Replace it with higher vibrational joy, contentment, and peace. Reframing perceptions creates a new way of being. I am inviting you right now to stop the madness around the fear of fear and kick it to the curb.
A job interview – Wow, what if they think I’m fantastic and have been waiting for me to show up?
A trip to a foreign country – Yippee. Paris here I come. I can hardly wait to taste the wines, fabulous French food and stinky cheese.
Becoming a new parent – I get to change a poopy diaper. Oh happy day.
Divorce Court – I am moving on with my life. My world is open to infinite possibility.
Reframe your expectations. Expect the best possible outcome. Make lemonade. The fear of fear, is a wall of emotional will, that crumbles when tested with a love of new experiences.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” ― Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles"
You ARE brilliant, gorgeous and talented. Shine a light on the positive and you will be
transformed into a being of multi-dimensional emotional lightness where time is now and the future is rife with infinite possibility of goodness and abundance. Take the leap. Say bye bye to negative fear of fear, bless it for the lessons, and move on. I double dog dare you!
Namaste
Susan Lee Woodward
I welcome your thoughts and comments.
© Susan Lee Woodward - 2015 - This article in its entirety is protected by Canadian and International copyright laws. Reproduction of this written content without written permission of the author is prohibited.