Face your fear - and do it anyway!
Face your fear
- and do it anyway!
For those of you who have had to give a talk or a speech in front of a crowd of people will know how intimidating it can be. Some years ago, a survey showed that many people feared speaking in public more than they feared death!!
As someone who has run healing and spirituality workshops for nearly 40 years – even after all that time – whilst not anxious just before a new workshop – there is still a certain apprehension that only leaves once you connect with your group.
When we confront our fears, we develop the resilience to bounce back from setbacks and we become more adaptable and less afraid of change.
How many times have we been fearful and anxious about a future event - only to find that after the event and we look back - we wonder why we became so scared as it went much better than we anticipated?
Furthermore, facing fear is not just about personal growth; it's also about connecting with others. When we share our fears and vulnerabilities, we create authentic connections with people who have similar experiences. It's a reminder that we are not alone in our struggles and that in itself can be a source of strength.
Knowing our limits is also a useful tip when considering learning to be courageous.
There are certain things that we just cannot do. Maybe you absolutely can't pick up that spider, or go skydiving. That's okay. Sometimes these are fears or limitations that can be worked up to and sometimes they aren't.
Sometimes it is highly adaptive not to be courageous; it may not make sense to do something you can't get yourself to do. Focus on building your courage for other things, and learn to be mindful. Being mindful is when you are fully present in the current moment. Mindfulness can help change your brain to deal with fear in a more effective manner. You have to give yourself time to learn this skill and it takes practice.
Meditation is one way to help improve your mindfulness. Find a quiet place and sit comfortably. You can meditate on the bus, at an airport, or any busy place, but it is best to start by learning in a quiet place with few distractions. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing (thinking "in" when you breathe in and "out" when you breathe out can help with that focus.).
Do this for 15 minutes and just be aware of the moment and of your sensations. If you do find yourself becoming distracted with other thoughts, direct your attention back to your breathing.
When you do find yourself overwhelmed by fear, using the practices learned from meditation and mindfulness can help you overcome it.
Sometimes it’s good to force yourself into the scenario you are afraid of and allow yourself to be fully afraid. Feel the fear pulsing through you; observe it but try your best not to be overcome by it. It can help if you imagine yourself in the 3rd person by saying things like, "he seems really scared right now."
A client I heard of shared that she was afraid of going outside. After working with her it was suggested she walk with the healer to her front door. They then suggested before her next visit, the client should just stand on the step and then go back inside. Next time she encouraged her to just go to the garden gate – and then return inside. Next, it was suggested she just went down the road and then try to think about how it actually wasn’t that bad to be away from home.
Last I heard, she was loving traveling and renewing her passport!
The idea is to show you that there is no need to fear what you do; as such, this method is best used for irrational fears.
A couple of years ago my wife Kim, who is a hypnotherapist and NLP practitioner, had a client who was afraid of heights. She did some work with him and then after the session, they were just chatting and she asked what he did for a living. His reply – I’m a helicopter pilot!!
That one session helped him really look forward to going to work and not be fearful every morning.
So, I urge you to take that first step toward facing your fears. It may be uncomfortable, even terrifying at times, but the rewards are immeasurable. As you look fear in the face and say, "I can do this," you'll discover a newfound sense of empowerment and a life filled with possibilities you never thought possible. Embrace your fears, for they are the stepping stones to your greatest achievements.
There is an old saying – “Face the fear – and do it anyway!
Try it and see!
With Love & Light
Roger
“No one can dim the light that shines within
“Each one of us has the ability to heal ourselves - and others. That gift, which is often dormant, can be awakened and used to transform our lives, and those around us, into something remarkable”