Mastering Fear

If you've been one to read much of what I've written in this space, you've likely noticed that, at least for a while anyway, I struggled pretty intently with fear. I definitely had a time, especially around the time I went into business for myself about two years ago, where fear was creating a significant amount of stress in my life.

Writing in this space, walking this Path, practicing my yoga, all has helped me learn to face my fear and learn the most effective ways in which I can mitigate fear when it decides to rear it's ugly head. I used to believe that I could actually destroy fear and move down my Path with my eyes lifted, disregarding the twists, turns and uphill climbs the moment I became aware of them, enjoying the views rather than fearfully anticipating the roots and sharp rocks that must surely lay ahead.

What I've learned though is that fear is not something that can be completely overcome. Fear is part of being human. It's part of this Path. The only thing we can do is learn how to manage fear, learn how to court her and seduce her and make her happy. This is not an easy thing to do but as I've come to know, it is possible to practice and at which to become more skilled.

There is a quote I found randomly by someone I didn't know prior to its discovery but that I admire. The author's name is Dorothy Thompson.

Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live.

I admire it but I also find it to be naive in the sense that it insinuates the one can totally rid fear from ones life.

There's another quote though that I admire even more. It's by Mark Twain.

Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear.

This is a completely different view of fear. It's an honest commentary that fear serves a purpose in life without prognosticating what that purpose is. It doesn't describe the state of absence of fear but I think it insinuates a negative view on that state. It does however speak to the ability to master fear.

I do not believe I have yet mastered fear - actually I know I haven't - but I do know now that I am well on my way. The most important thing I've learned about dealing with fear is that I must trust in the Universe and remember that most of the time the things I fear are far worse than what could even actually happen. When I remember to practice that trust and have that realization, I find it much easier to face my fears and in so doing, see right through them to the meaning and purpose that they hold for me at that moment on my Path.