Overcoming Fear

I'm always telling people that
life is what you make it.
When I read this I feel cowardly.
I'm working on it, okay?


OVERCOMING FEAR
By: Steve Pilkington

Psychologist's tell us that all the fears we have essentially come from one
ultimate fear: the fear of losing or of being out of control.

I also find it interesting that most adults say they are more afraid of public peaking than they are of death. Fact is there are many kinds of fears we are all faced with. There is the fear of being average; of disapproval; of failure; of eath; of inadequate finances, plane crashes, being audited, etc...the list could go on.

Therefore, the question becomes, how do I overcome my fears in order to live a productive life?

First, check where you learned the fear. Ask yourself, "where does this fear come from...where did I learn it?" Is the fear you have rational? For example, I once had a friend who was terribly afraid of birds flying to close to him, especially his head.

When he checked where this fear came from, he discovered an old memory of a rooster that attacked him when he was a child. The rooster flew in his face. Whether your fear is rational or not it is real to you...so check where you learned it.

Secondly, desensitize yourself slowly. Do you remember what it's like when you try to get back into the swimming pool for first time in the early spring? You step onto the top step ankle deep and you think, "Oh this water is too cold." What happens then? After a few minutes you become desensitized and take another step and then another until, first thing you know you're swimming around and don't even notice the water temperature anymore.

Face you fears slowly, but do face them. The alternative to not facing your fear is to be paralyzed by them. Fear, rational or not, can keep us from experiencing life in all its fullness.

Thirdly, realize there are some risks in life. You face some types of risks everyday. I truly believe that when we come to the end of life's journey if we have any regrets it will be the risks we didn't take because we let fear rule.

If you truly want to change your life for the better there are certain fears you will have to confront and overcome. When facing a fear ask yourself this question: "What's the worst possible thing that could happen if I face this fear? So...are you going to let fear rule or are you going to take charge and live your life your way?

Check where your fears come from and desensitize yourself to them slowly. Understand there are some risks in life but don't let your fear of taking a risk rule your life.