Are You Facing Your Fears?

Dear Reader,

I have one simple but potentially life changing message today. But first, a powerful question for you:

Are you facing your fears? Or are you avoiding them?

Be honest.

If you look back over your life, you can probably recognize many times when you faced your fears and worked through them, as well as times when you gave in to them or avoided them altogether.

As you look at your fears, I suggest that you practice a little self compassion. Fear is natural, and often healthy. Fear can be a signal that danger is be nearby. If you struggle with fear, it just means that you are human.

Also, remember that fear can be complex. Some fears are innate, while many are learned. Some fears are simple and easy to see, while others are more deeply hidden in your being. Fears based on old beliefs may actually indicate a perceived danger that is not even real. At other times, you may not recognize your fear at all!

So we have to add that fear can be sneaky.

Some fears are quite small, like a fear that you will not have enough food for your dinner guests. Other fears are larger, like a fear of heights or snakes. Or maybe your fears are more situational, including fears about dating or socializing or making career choices.

And some fears run much deeper, like a fear of failure, or that you are not good enough, or not safe in the world. These are often fears that build up over years of living. They can become invisible. Either that, or you become comfortable with them. They are familiar. You think they are keeping you safe. Maybe you even bargain with them!

But maybe… it is finally time to question them.

My urgent message is this:

If you are avoiding any fears in your life, face them, starting now.

If you are avoiding your fears, you may well be delaying the accomplishment, contribution, and other good that you desire in life. Carrying fear can be exhausting, and energy consuming.

I know; facing your fears can be difficult. And it’s often not simple. How you go about it may depend on who you are, your family and life history, and the nature of the fear.

Do it anyway.

The sooner you start, the sooner you will transform your fear and step into all the good that is waiting for you.

And the good news is that it does get easier. It is possible to make the practice of facing your fears into a way of being.

Again, this process can be challenging. Sometimes, you may need help.

Your source of help might be a coach, teacher, therapist or some other professional, a member of the clergy if you are religious, a trusted friend or family member, or even a fictional character in a book or movie. If you have fears that are grounded in past trauma, I recommend that you seek help from a therapist or trauma specialist.

Here’s more good news: help can also come from your own inner wisdom.

Recognizing and growing your inner wisdom – your intuition – can be a complex process, but it is there, waiting to guide you from within.

What are your next steps?

For now, try focusing on one fear that you might like to understand better and transform in your life.

Next:

• Learn to recognize your fear. Become familiar with what it looks and feels like, when it began, when it arises, and how it disguises itself.
• Befriend your fear, without judging or trying to push it away. Remember that it is simply trying to help you.
• Look for what your fear can teach you. Often, an important insight is hidden behind the fear.
• Engage with your intuition to help you learn from it and look for new, creative options in your life.
• If necessary, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Grappling with fear on your own can be a huge energy drain.

Next week, I’ll write more about how your intuition can help you move through fear to create positive growth and a sense of purpose in your life. In the meantime, I have created a simple PDF guide to help you recognize the difference between your fear voice and your intuitive voice. If you don’t have it yet, you can find it here, as a gift:

Intuition or Fear – Which Voice Is It? Ten tips to help you tell the difference

You can do this!

I honor your loving heart,

John