Fear

Fear

Have you ever been hesitant to do something that you knew you should do, but for some reason, you held back?  Then you discover that you don’t complete what you need to do because of Fear.  Fear is an exciting emotion and one that kids face as much or more as adults.  When we avoid the life that we want to have, often it is because of Fear.  We make excuses  and say things like, “I just don’t have the confidence right now,” or  we say, “I don’t know if I am good enough to do that.”

When we self-sabotage by holding ourselves back, we are operating from Fear.  How do we move beyond Fear?  It is an important topic for both kids and adults.

When I realize that I am operating from a fear-based emotion, I take a moment to close my eyes and look it in the eye.  I take a moment and see what it is saying to me that causes hesitancy.  Often there isn’t much there to explain the emotion, but by looking at it directly and giving it a shape, name, color, or even a person, I find that I can move beyond it.  Fear causes us to be stressed, to hold back, not to reach out and take chances.  If we take time to experience it directly, we can easily decide that Fear will always be there in some form, but reaching out to destiny will not.

We may miss the opportunity to reach up higher, make a connection, experience something new that leads us directly to exactly what we want for our life.  Operating with Fear is very real and tangible and overrule our goals and dreams for our life.

Many of our kids experience this when asked about what they want to do in their life.  They get a hopeless look, shrug their shoulders, and say, “I don’t know.”  Why haven’t their dreams been lit, started on fire?  They have lost their passion for life because they see too many roadblocks.  Some of it is financial, some of it family problems, addiction on their part or the parents part, world problems, you name it, on and on.

When we talk with ourselves or our kids, we need to remind ourselves that several people have found a way to make it work for every one of those roadblocks. There is always some way to go to college, even if you don’t have the money.

There is always a way to meet the person who will take you to the stars and help you achieve your dreams.  It does take work; it is all uphill, there are no shortcuts, but by facing our fears and stepping forward, the universe will provide us through uncertainty.

In this three-part series, we will explore Fear and how it plays havoc on our lives and those around us.  Give an encouraging word to someone, remember your good things and accomplishments, and you will start to look Fear right in the eye.

Part two of this series if found here Fear – 2 – Dr. Rich Patterson (pattersonphd.com)

Part three can be found here Fear – 3 – Dr. Rich Patterson (pattersonphd.com)

T C North has a powerful post about master fear you should read, Master Fear In 6 Easy Yet Powerful Steps (tcnorth.com)

Yours for a better life,

Rich