Fear Ye, Fear Ye Not

Fear, so powerful, is deeply ingrained in our unconsciousness.  We all have the “fight or flight” response ready to react even before we think things through.  Although we have adapted into not necessarily immediately lashing out or running off.  We often instead have time to consider what is really going on with a situation.  We can allow ourselves time to find out what is really stirring up within our minds and emotions.

📷 by Conmongt on pixabay

Fear can paralyze if it is not addressed rationally.  We all know about phobias.  But what about being stuck in a reaction because of our fear?

Take the fear of losing your income, whether it be from a job or retirement.  Political points of view often use that fear as a tactic to persuade people to be on their side:  their version of what is happening politically may be a mix of truth and fiction, but they rely on people to instantly be afraid.  Be so afraid, strike out against the opponent, without bothering to review the facts.

📷 by Alexas_Fotos on pixabay

Sure I fear such a loss.  I don’t want the government tampering with social security, retirement, etc.  It could happen.  Let me investigate, however, what is going on.  And yes, I will then be on the side of someone who will protect us.

Jumping to conclusions, without investigating facts or just listening to one-sided opinions and letting the fear-inducing remarks set us off is primal.  But we are capable of stopping irrational reactions.  We are capable of taking responsibility to check out the facts.  Sometimes they are hard to find, with so many others muddying the waters.  Many give up or just jump in and yell and finger-point to no end.

But we can try.  We can stop, acknowledge our fear is real, but it does not have to own us.  Fear itself does not have to paralyze us.  Again I stress: Acknowledge Fear.  And stand up to it by searching for the facts.  Search for what you can do about the situation.  Don’t let someone take away your hope, your power, or your peace of mind.  Be motivated to learn.  Empower yourself, not your fears.    Theresa M.