Not a Monster / Thoughts on Fear

Fear can really eat away at a person.  Most of my life, I have lived in a place of fear - fear of the what-ifs,

fear of the unknown, fear of the next shoe to drop, fear of myself, etc. and etc. For a long time, it took away my ability to succeed: I was so afraid of “failure” that I wouldn’t even try, regardless of whether that “trying” was for inner peace or for outward successes.  At times, my fear nearly destroyed me but, even still, this lifetime of a fearful outlook has taught me some things about this massive emotion:  

The universe doesn't set us up to fail. Neither, though, does the universe always provide us a safety net. Sometimes we have to just leap off the damn platform and pray we've learned how to fall well enough that we don't break our necks. And if we're terrified? That's ok! That adrenaline our fear produces can keep us going until we are on solid ground again. But. The adrenaline is draining. Use it, but take time to care for yourself and replenish your energy. Eat. Even if you don't feel like it. Sleep. Even if you think you can't. And trust that everything happens for a reason, if only that reason is to lead us to a place we might not have gone without the kick in the ass that destruction gives us.

Over time, I’ve realized that the best way to deal with any kind of fear is to accept it.  Don’t fight. Don’t judge. Just accept your own feelings, give yourself some loving tenderness, and continue moving forward. The fear won’t go away but the less attention you pay it, the more it fades into the background.  I’ve always thought that must be the true measure of courage: Not the lack of fear…not the bull-headed opposition or deliberate ignorance of fear…but the gradual acceptance and integration of fear into the gentle swirl of emotions that we all must experience for a full life. 

So, be brave. Be patient. And use those butterflies that fear tends to create in your stomach to carry you and allow you to take flight in your life.