In my own life, I have come to realize fear is the anticipation of what may or may not happen. There are many studies that talk about how fear is a response to your brain chemistry. If I really look at what fear stands for, it is to face everything and recover. How do we navigate and work through your fears?

Example: Did you that fear can be inherited. What that means It can be passed from your parents or grandparents. I have known second and third generations Holocaust Survivors admit into a treatment center because of an eating disorder. The reason why is some Holocaust survivors would subconsciously pass anxiety of the fear of not having enough food. They would have to eat rotten food. So, it is not really about the fear as much as the anticipation.

Healthy vs Unhealthy Fear

My mom dying and my response to it. Your brain cannot tell the difference between real or irrational fear. If you are in a constant state of panic your mind never has a chance to normalize.

If a child was abused in their home, their normal is to be in a constant state of fear. Until they work a ton on the trauma of their past, so how they react to all life situations is from a place of panic. Have you ever had relationships or worked with clients that go from 1 to 10? They never learned how to manage their fear. My mom would say, “God will continue to put the same situation in your life until you learn the lesson.”

What would it mean if you did not experience fear? Fear can be a pivotal moment in someone’s life to change. Depression and anxiety become so uncomfortable that someone decides to change. Tony Robbins said, “Change happens when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change.”

Afraid of Success

If you took a moment and reflected, are you more afraid of success, than failure? For most people, it is fear of success. I know for me, that it has been my belief system, “Oh that will not happen to me, or my dream really will not come true.” It is my mindset, belief system that perpetuates my fears. What would happen if your goals and dreams came to fruition—then what? I have worked with people that everything they prayed for they received, and they did not know how to handle it. Without the constant fear, people are forced to look within. Which, for many people it is terrifying. What is more terrifying is living a life of regret and “I wish.”

There are several ways that will help to face your fears. Changing your mindset as Lisandra said, really reflecting on what you fear, if it’s a consistent theme in your life, then seek counsel, staying in the moment and saying to yourself that you are the author of your own life.

I am turning 40 on December 10th and it has put so much in perspective for me. I remember being in my early 30’s saying, “I have time for all these things and my goals can wait.” Well, 10-years later and I realized that time is of the essence and to focus on what I want and go for it.  In life, it is easy to think we all have tomorrow to change, to forgive, to love, to go after our dreams. Tomorrow is never promised, so make it today.

For me, one of the most loving ways to face your fears is by creating your circle. Because we all need a village of people, to encourage us, to never give up.