The A-Z Challenge: F is for Fear. Shift negative to positive alphabetically.
Fear! We all have fears, whether it's speaking in front of a crowd, the spider in the bedroom, heights, commitment, failure, success, rejection and the most famous one of all - fear of the unknown. When fear shows up, do you Forget Everything And Run (F.E.A.R)? Or do you Find Excuses And Reasons (F.E.A.R) to hide under the covers of life and stay right where you are?
Well, sometimes fear can be useful. It can help us weigh up risks and caution us to be careful. So listen to those little tugs of fear and if the fear is rational, honour your fear and step back from the potential risk. But most of the time, fear is irrational. It stops us from taking valuable opportunities, trying new things, confidently expressing ourselves. Fear shrinks our world.
The thing to remember is that fear is a feeling, not a fact! It's most often not based on reality. Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real (F.E.A.R). Most of the time, our fears never materialise. But sometimes, fear acts like a magnet. How? By focusing on the fear, we unconsciously act in ways that are connected to the fear, thus making it real. Fear is a powerful force, but only when you allow it to be!
It's OK to feel fear. But it's not OK to let fear hold you back. Just because you're scared, it doesn't mean you're not smart or strong enough to work through your fears.
Face, Explore, Accept, Respond (F.E.A.R) to fear with these 3 steps:
- Take a Fear Inventory. Ask yourself: What's your greatest fear? How is it getting in the way of your.... career, finances, love, relationships, personal growth, health and wellness?
- Fear Less. You are bigger than your fears. So, rise above the fear and have hope. Hope sees the fear but is able to look past it and see what's needed to overcome the fear. If you have the ability to imagine all kinds of fearful things, you also have the capacity to 'Have Only Positive Expectations'.
- Be Fearless. Reach beyond what is comfortable and safe, and decide if it's worth taking a few risks. Being fearless is about finding the courage within yourself to take action in spite of the fear. Be audacious and go for it. Live what you love.
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