What is fear really? I’ve heard of a few definitions formed from the acronym FEAR:
Forgot Everything’s All Right
Face Everything And Recover
F (eff) Everything And RUN!
No matter what, fear has always appeared the same to me. Fear has always shown up when change is on the horizon and it has always existed in my head with the intention to keep me back from where my heart is telling me to go. Fear has always been the lie telling me “where I am” is safe and “where I’m headed” is too big and too scary for me to handle. Fear offers me a million excuses and rationalizations designed to keep me from moving forward.
We all have fear and we all fear change no matter who we are or how big or small the change is. Some of us fear going to a new school, moving to a new neighborhood or making significant life changes like stopping drinking/drugging or going from married to single. Others may fear driving to a place they have never driven or walking into a room full of people they have never met. The list goes on and on. The difference between those who have fear and get past it and those who have fear and stay stuck is awareness.
People who get past fear realize that fear is an illusion. Fear is the illusion that we are alone and separated from our life Source. All of our fears exist in our head. Truth exists in our heart. By practicing awareness we can become clear on which thoughts are coming from our head and which truths are coming from our heart (or our gut). The way to get past fear is to tune into the messages coming from our gut. Listen to them. Whenever we follow those truths, we find we are safe and protected and that all is well. We find that we can do things afraid and that what we were afraid of was never really too big for us to handle at all.
Our fears come from beliefs we have (and hold on to) about ourselves and the world around us. If we never open our minds to the fact that there may be more out there for us than the life we have always known, if we never become willing to let go of the beliefs we have held onto about ourselves and the world around us, if we never try new things, we will most definitely stay stuck in a life that is not bringing us the most joy. We will stay stuck in the illusion.
Change calls us for a reason. Change calls us to a better experience, a deeper understanding, more clarity, more awareness and ultimately…more JOY! The more we trust our gut and move forward in fear, the less fear has a grip on us and the more we prove to ourselves that we can do it, that we are constantly connected to Source and that we are always ok. Think back on a time you were afraid to do something, but you did it anyway and you came out safe and successful on the other side!
Begin to get past fear by tuning into your true self, your heart. Become aware of what your heart is telling you. Begin to recognize the illusion of fear coming from the messages in your head. Develop an open mind. Begin to let go of the beliefs you have always held onto about yourself and the world around you. Find people that are living the life you want to live and ask them what they have done to get there…then do it! You are enough just as you are. You have what it takes. You can do it. I believe in you!
Living Joy,
Kristen Sheehan
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