Facing your fears can be a daunting task. When you are struggling with fears, your thoughts and emotions subdue your ability to live life to its fullest.
Fear is not necessarily a negative emotion all the time. Actions like moving away from a burning object or braking your vehicle when a car suddenly shows up ahead of you, are all responses originated by fear. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that our lives would be much more prone to accidents without the emotion of fear. If you come to think of it, social systems like economy, law and order, politics, culture are all backed by this emotion.
Then why fear is seen in a negative light? I say the answer is in the extent to which this emotion is experienced by us.
When trapped in the prison of fear, we forget the love between us and our dear ones, forget the beauty of natural world, and forget our essential goodness and wholeness. We continue to expect the trouble and miss out on living in the present. This is where it becomes important for us to face our fears and move beyond them.
“Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.”— Bertrand Russell
First, it’s important to recognize that fear is a natural and normal human emotion. It can arise from various sources, including past experiences, limiting beliefs, and the unknown. However, it is crucial to understand that fear does not have to control our lives. By confronting our fears, we can move beyond them and cultivate inner strength.
“We are more often frightened than hurt; and we suffer more from imagination than from reality.” — Seneca
Before I move into the discussion of practices to confront our fears, I want to acknowledge the pain it causes to the person struggling with it.
Any fear might have enrooted inside us for years and decades, hence confronting them needs consideration of our own wellbeing.
While one or more of these methods will end up being beneficial for you, it is important to recognize the importance of taking baby steps and going easy on oneself.
Here are the practices that you can follow to build your strength against fear:
Meditation:
By taking time to sit in stillness and observe our thoughts and emotions, we can gain clarity on the root causes of our fears. Through regular meditation, we can cultivate a sense of inner peace and develop a deeper understanding of our own inner workings.
Prayers:
When we pray, we can surrender our fears and concerns to a higher power. This can be a powerful way to release control and trust in the universe’s plan for our lives. We can ask for guidance, strength, and courage to face our fears, knowing that we are not alone in our journey.
Self Care:
In addition to meditation and prayer, it can be helpful to practice self-care when facing our fears. This can involve engaging in activities that bring us joy, such as spending time in nature or engaging in creative pursuits. When we take care of ourselves, we cultivate a sense of inner strength and resilience that helps us face our fears with greater ease.
Visualizing Success:
Visualizing success can be a powerful tool in facing your fears. Take some time to imagine yourself successfully overcoming your fear. Picture yourself feeling confident and proud of yourself for facing your fear. This can help you build up the courage to act.
Take action:
Acting on your fears is the most critical step in facing your them. It may be challenging, but it is important to push yourself outside your comfort zone. Remember, the more you face your fears, the easier it becomes. Start by taking small steps and gradually work your way up to more significant challenges.
Celebrate your successes
Finally, celebrate your successes. Facing your fears can be challenging and sometimes a scary process, but it is important to acknowledge your achievements. Take time to celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may seem. This will help you build up your confidence and give you the courage to face future challenges.
So far, we may have chosen to not address our fears, however, knowing the fact that they limit us and encapsulate our capabilities pushes us to deal with them. It is essential to face them for not just our personal growth and spiritual development but also to liberate ourselves and experience the wonders of life.
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