First of all, it's imperative that we understand just what "fear" is. *Fear is an emotional reaction to the possibility of a thing which may happen in the future.* Read that again and again until you truly understand it. As long as we realize what it is, we have a better chance of putting it out of our lives....and that can be done. "Knowing" better is a left brain function of your rational brain. "Emotions" come from an entirely different place. That's the struggle.
To realize that fear is what you're dealing with is a giant first step in conquering it. Write down exactly and precisely what it is that you are in fear of. This is an important exercise for it brings that fear out of your emotions into the cold, hard light of day.
Now. Write down where this fear came from. Is it real, or in your mind? Is it coming from something that has actually happened, or something you dread may happen? Is it something you can control, alter, modify, or change in any way? If it is, DO IT!! Don't just simmer and stew about it. The worst torment of all is doing nothing, and allowing yourself to be consumed by this fear. Inactivity feeds fear. Once you have all this written down, cut your writing into pieces. Separate the fear and negativity, and pull out anything positive that you can find about the situation. Burn the "bad stuff". Literally. Burn it with sage, with cedar, with sweetgrass, with incense, with whatever you have on hand. Take it outside, set it on fire, and give all the fear and anxiety to the Universe where it can be transformed into positive energy.
This is a giant first step in recognizing fear: facing it, tearing it apart, analyzing it, and getting it out of your subconscious and conscious mind. Now comes the hard part.
Fear can turn you into a mass of quivering jelly; cold sweats; nightmares; the very worst in life. Do Not Allow This. Remember above all else that it is you, and ONLY you, that controls your mind and your emotions. Nothing can affect you UNLESS YOU ALLOW IT. When you feel fear creeping in, come to a dead stop. Stay HERE. In this moment. In this place in time. In this heartbeat in your life. Hold that thought. There is nothing to fear in this moment. You are safe. You are not threatened. You are sitting quietly. You are breathing. You are alive. You are in total command and total control of this second in your life. Relax. Stay here. One moment at a time. One breath at a time.
You will be bombarded by thoughts from your left brain. You'll get "BUT...WHAT IF....IF...I CAN'T". Don't let them in. Stay in the present moment. Carry that moment with you. Don't leap ahead to the next six hour block of time, and for sure don't leap ahead into tomorrow. Tomorrow is not here. NOW is here. How are you dealing with now; with this instant in your life? If you do the very best you can with this moment in time, your tomorrow will take care of itself.
This will not be easy for it means breaking old and very set behavior patterns. All I can promise you is that it works. It really does. Not taking action, and allowing doubt, anxiety and fear to eat at you creates great holes in your spirit that leaves you at the mercy of all your weaknesses. It is a very unpleasant, unhappy and unhealthy place to be. Leave that place.
There are 2 things on Innerspace that can help greatly if you will let them. One is in the "Re-Creating You" section, in the exercises...the I AMs. If you print these, and force yourself to read them aloud when you feel fear setting in, you will regain control. Read them over and over, every time you think of it, and whisper them aloud to yourself every time you can. In the beginning, they will only be words on paper. Then you'll begin to notice what they really say. Then, when you feel the impact of the words and their true meanings in your heart, you will have won.
An exercise to re-charge your energy and bring you peace is in this "Sharings From The Heart" section; Your Own Private Retreat. This exercise really works magic. You should make it part of your daily routine to take 5 minutes a day to do this.
Of course, none of this means anything unless you try, and give it your very best efforts. I know this works. It did for me, and I've heard from dozens and dozens of people who have beaten fear this way. Try. What do you have to lose? #FEAR#. What do you have to gain? A whole new outlook. Peace of mind. Control over your life.
Art courtesy of Merlin's Gallery.