Franklin Delano Roosevelt, one of the last century’s greatest presidents, at his inaugural speech in 1933 spoke these extraordinary words. "First of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself - nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyses needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."
How true. Fear is one of our greatest enemies. It holds us back from obtaining our true destiny.
The origin of the word fear comes from Old English and it meant, “calamity, or disaster,” but not the emotion engendered by such an event. Fear is first recorded in Middle English with the sense “emotion of fear” in a work composed around 1290. I am sure prehistoric humans knew the feeling of what we call fear all too often. That was back when we as evolving beings developed the fight or flight instinct as one of our means of survival. How ironic that the very thing that guaranteed our existence as a species can challenge our development and progress as individuals.
Fear can be broken down into two categories. Justified and unjustified. For the purpose of our discussion we shall focus on the latter.
Examples of unjustified fear.
Fear of Failing.
Fear of Success.
Fear of Commitment.
Fear of Loneliness.
Fear of the Future.
Fear of the Past.
Fear of Living
Fear of Dying
_____________ ???-- insert you own fear
How often have you forgone or lost an opportunity because of unjustified fear? Most of these fears have their origin in a irrational belief or attitude that we are not worthy, or we do not deserve to be the benefactors of opportunity.
Here is an interesting point. Our fear can be looked at as a measurement or yardstick of our distance from the Higher Power. The more connected we are to a power greater than ourselves, the less we will focus on our fears. Think back to a time in your life when you where fearful for whatever reason. How great was your faith in Higher Power during that period? Was it non-existent or just somewhere on the back burner while you allowed other thoughts of self-will to deal with the situation that caused the fear.
One of the best ways to overcome fear is to face the very thing that frightens us. This is easier said than done but if practised becomes less troubled. Again, reliance on a Higher Power will prove useful in overcoming the obstacle of fear.
Work as if you don't need the money.
Love as if you've never been hurt.
Dance as if no one is watching
In the weeks ahead, look deep inside for what is holding you back from your goals and if you find that fear is the chief culprit then let it go.. take a chance, do something different, let your Higher Power be your guide and soon you will be living life to the fullest, one day at a time, and ......
