“Not everything that casts a long shadow is to be feared. Often the trouble you fear is no more than bluff and bluster. Fear is a bully that dissolves when confronted”. — Jonathan Lockwood Huie
If someone says to you, “Don’t be afraid”...well, OK, but how do I do that? It’s sort of like saying, “Don’t think about elephants.” Oh, great. Now that’s all I can think about.
If there’s a legitimate safety concern, for example, then fear is a good thing. When walking across a dark, abandoned parking lot late at night, a degree of fear kicks your “fight-or-flight” response into high alert. Keep those car keys and pepper spray handy and be cautious. That’s just common sense.
However, how many times have you wondered, “What was I worried about?” Or, “Why was I so afraid to take that chance?” Growth involves change, risk and courage. So ask yourself if your fear is self-created, or legitimate. With fear out of your way, the possibilities are endless.