“Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself”

September 30, 2020

Have you started doing something, anything, in light of my last challenge to you? Have you decided you won’t let our current national condition keep you in mental and emotional lockdown? Have you refused to let 2020 take over your life?

If your answer is “Yes!” here’s a high 5! If your answer is “well, not really—I’ve been thinking about it,” what is holding you back?

Fear?

Dictionary.com’s first definition of fear is this: a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid

Otherwise known as F.E.A.R—False Evidence Appearing Real. Our brains make it up. Fear originates in the amygdala, the ancient part of our brain. The amygdala alerted ancient humans to dangers and kept people safe.

I like how Nancy Colier describes it in Psychology Today.

“Our mind is often the perpetrator of unimaginable violence—on ourselves. Our thoughts are the great instigator of terror, yelling ‘fire’ over and over again when a hint of smoke is detected.”

Is fear or F.E.A.R. holding you back, keeping you in mental and emotional lockdown? If so, here’s the antidote for that.

Stand up straight, take a deep breath, steady yourself, and go out on that stinking limb! Just do it.

Be courageous. Tell your amygdala to shut up.

Tips for Beating Fear

A Short Story to Help You Overcome Fear

Jack Canfield’s Tips on Fighting Fear

I’m not saying fear isn’t real. It is. But it starts in your brain. Who is in charge of your brain—you or an almond-shaped set of nuclei (amygdala)?

By the way, I’m guilty of F.E.A.R. myself. My coach has been prodding me to do one thing that is important for me to grow my business. Until now, I’ve been thinking about it and coming up with excuses to do it later.

Go Out on That Limb!

Writing this blog is part of my action to overcome fear and F.E.A.R.

I’m standing up straight, taking a deep breath, steadying myself—and going out on that stinking limb.

I’ll let you know if it breaks.

Note: The headline quote is from President Franklin Roosevelt’s first inaugural address.