Life
shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage. Anaïs Nin
Fear is an
inevitable part of the landscape of our existence. We have the results if billions of years of
biological evolution built into every cell, every organ, and every system
within the body. Fear is an essential quality
in the physical world, whether it is the awareness of danger or an encounter of
with an unknown. Fear just is.
So our goal
cannot be to eliminate fear. That would
be like trying to eliminate skin - impossible.
What we must learn to do is to take greater dominion over our inner
processes, including the fear response.
One way to do this is to develop courage. Courage is also part of the landscape of our
existence - another evolutionary gift from the ages. Courage is the capacity to override fear
where appropriate. Courage is never
present unless fear is also present.
every courageous act that we admire is performed by someone who
overcomes fear. And in order to overcome
fear, we have to experience fear. I have
tired, but I cannot find a way around this.
We move through the fear, let the inner power express, and the
experience is transformed.
So courage
and fear are inseparable. These two
qualities go together. As we develop the
capacity to express courage, we do not rid ourselves of fear; we become the
master of fear. That is what we are to
do in this life. (Science of Mind Magazine, July 2013, Jim Lockard; page 42)
Read this the other day and I felt one of my deeper inquiries
was answered. Last December I made an
internal decision to conquer my fear as I am just tired of it. It's paralyzing effects where it just stops
me in my tracks. I purchased quite a few
books on "Fear" (Fear Thich Nhat Hanh, The Transformation, Ainslie MacLeod, May
Cause Miracles - A 42 Day Guide book, Gabrielle Berstein) to help me get to the
point that I could stand on the top of the world and shout out. . "I have CONQUERED you fear, Dam it."
Yet what I have noticed, I have read, listened, acknowledged
and practiced recognizing what my fear is and just being with it. Asking myself, "what am I learning about
me and fear?" What is needed? I learned for me, it takes courage and compassion to stand
up to fear. With courage
and compassion for self, I have developed a deeper connection and understanding of me.
Now learning that fear and courage are two qualities that
hold hands and that I will not rid myself of fear, I am able to be more purposeful
when fear pops up. I will ask myself, is
this true fear of danger ahead, or is it because of the unknown.
Take time for yourself with courage and inquire deep within
you what is your fear. Know there is
nothing to fix, just be curious to explore what it would take for you to move
forward, if you feel stuck or paralyzed.
May this affirmation speak to you:
" I am a
being of great courage. I know that my
inner strength is unlimited. I face my
fears from a place of deep knowing that there is more to me than fear -infinitely
more."
Warmly -
Debbie Rosenfelt
Chief Heart Officer
