be afraid

We all have our response when we feel fear, for some, it’s more physical, and for others, it’s more like a mental block. Mine typically manifests as a tightness in my throat. When I’m afraid, anxious, stressed or just down I feel like there is a soft scarf around my neck slowly being squeezed. I lose my voice.  

Fear can be a debilitating thing to many, stopping us in our tracks from trying something new or taking a risk. Anxiety can also be a teacher; it can shine a light on the things we should be doing, or the path we should be taking. Sometimes, fear can be a symptom of subconscious expectations that are based on experiences from our childhood. Those experiences could be real, or merely a figment of our childhood imagination. 

The origins of where these fears come from however are not necessarily where we should always focus, although it can make for an interesting reflection. The real questions we should pose are: 
Are you allowing that fear to hold you back from living the life you want to live?  Are you letting that fear to stop you from being the person you want to be? Are you allowing fear to decide your fate and your life?

I know that most of my fears are about sharing my message; I feel fear when I think about how others will think of me. I feel fear when I think about the potential repercussions of being blatantly honest in regards to my failures and my struggles. I feel fear when I think about whether others will think I’m old enough, experienced enough, educated enough to share this message. 

That fear is not something rooted in truth, and it’s a fear rooted in not having control of how others perceive me. It’s a fear that in the past I allowed to hold me back from being honest and sharing what I was going through with others. It is not a fear I allow to interfere with who I want to be, or the life I want to live, anymore. 

Although the physical experience of fear is not something I enjoy, I’ve committed to chase that fear and to use it as a guide when I make decisions, take action, or use my voice. It’s not always easy, and I don’t always get it right - but that’s not the point. The point is that you can choose how you experience fear in your life.

Where is fear holding you back?