Never Scared?
Today's Fear Culture Makes Us
People Afraid, Running From Life.

Who's never scared?

Are you afraid of life?

I wish I could say that I’m not afraid. But there’s a lot to be afraid of. According to the news, we live in dangerous times. The news creates a fear culture which turns most of us into cowards.

People afraid of life.

What kind of lives can we expect to live if our deepest fear is life itself?






Who is never scared?

The truth is--it makes sense to be afraid.

First, we worry about problems on the global level, such as war, epidemics and climate change. Second, we worry about national issues. The recession, crime and immigration. And third, we worry about ourselves and families. We fear failure, rejection, disability, growing old, dying young--even flying--to name a few. There are just too many things to be afraid of.

I don’t want you to think I’m a paranoid nut, sitting in the dark and refusing to go out. I’m not afraid generally. Most days, I wake up and go about my day quite happily. But there are days when I do feel afraid. And sometimes the feeling of fear grips me and weighs me down.

What is the reason for this fear?

For me it is realizing that I can’t control life.

Sure, you say.

Although we can’t control life, there are certain things we can control. We can work hard, do the right things and make the right decisions.

For example, if we want to pass a test, we can study for it. And chances are we will pass. If we want to get a promotion at work, we work our hardest to show our boss that we are capable and worthy. And if we want to live long, we can exercise, get enough sleep and eat sensibly.

But does that always work?

Have you ever faced a mental block during a test? Are bosses always fair? And what if we are suddenly diagnosed with the dreaded big C?

There are no guarantees in life. It’s a cliché, I know. But that’s only because it’s true. We not only have no control over what happens to the world and others outside our influence, but we also can’t always control the results of our own work and efforts. Life just doesn’t always turn out as we expect or intend it to be.

So how do we cope?

We accept it. We shrug our shoulders and say, “that’s life.”

However, in order to accept life’s unpredictability, we also have to accept fear.

Let’s face it. We live in a fear culture. The warnings are loud and clear. Just turn on the television, listen to the radio and read the papers. By doing their duty to inform, they serve to keep people afraid.

If only life were like the movies.

I confess, I’m a thriller junkie. I love to watch action films where the hero is never scared. While the rest of the cast runs for cover, he always seems to know what to do. And he always wins. Wouldn’t it be great if life were like that? More specifically, wouldn’t it be fantastic if we could be like our action heroes?

So what do we do?

The only thing to do. Not run or hide, but to face it. Face our fears.

Sounds simple, doesn’t it? How do we do this?

We can try to emulate our action heroes and act fearless.

We can order our fears to stand down. Tell myself to keep my chin up. That fear is a sign of weakness. I’ve tried this before. I found it hard to convince myself I’m not afraid when I was quaking in my shoes. In some instances, denial only made things worse.

But there is another way. We can take the path of least resistance.

Why not talk ourselves out of it?

Usually, when we fear something, it’s not the something we fear, but what we think the consequence of the something will be.

For example, when we fear failing a test, we actually fear looking stupid. When we fear not getting a promotion, we fear that we will are worthless and a disappointment to our loved ones who depend on us to provide for their needs. When we fear getting sick, we really fear dying.

So if you know what you’re really afraid of, then it’s time to ask yourself:

What if?

What if you didn’t fail the test, lose the promotion or your loved one? Or even if you did, what if you were able to make up for it? Or had the promotion the following year? Or what if you could beat the big C? Others have, why not you?

Asking the question diverts our focus from fear to possibility. From loss to chance. From negative to positive.

Who’s never scared?

No one.

We may never get rid of fear permanently, but we don’t have to let it weigh us down. And we don’t have to run or hide.

We can confront it. Talk to it. Understand it.

Then maybe our deepest fear will never be realized.




Never scared?

If you find yourself needing inspiration, download my free e book on overcoming fear? If you haven't, click on the link to get your free copy of Soul Planet.

No one is never scared.







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