Tag Archives: Fear

Options Options

7 Apr

When we’re facing big decisions there are often options from which to choose.  There is rarely only one way to move forward successfully and we may choose any path we like.  There may be times when the decision we choose will be critical, and other times when it really doesn’t matter which path we choose so long as we get to the destination.  If we struggle with decisions and there are a lot of options it may take us some time to discern what we want to do.  Every decision we make will have a result and we want to ensure the results we get are what we’re seeking.  Even if time is a factor and we feel pressed we can review our options carefully and choose the best plan for our needs.  When we are thoughtful and careful it’s easy to imagine everything will go as planned and often that’s the case.  But sometimes, no matter how much we prepare or how carefully we choose, things will go awry.  Life is unpredictable and nobody can read the future.  If the bottom falls out and we discover we’re somewhere we never wanted to go we can turn our course and choose again.  There will always be choices to make and options available to us.  We have everything we need to make wise decisions and we can face anything that comes.  If complications arise, we will manage them.  If everything goes south, we will look to the north and find our way again.

Decisions come easily for some people. They are able to see things quickly and objectively and simply choose the way forward.  For others, fear of the unknown or risk of making a mistake may cause hesitation.  We can take time if we need to evaluate our choices and determine where they will take us.  We can step back and think about exactly what we’re trying to accomplish and review every possibility.  But we cannot think about the decision indefinitely.  The only way forward is to actually step on the path and move forward.  Indecision will only bring confusion and paralysis.  We can confidently see all our options and make good, wise, strong choices for where we want to go.

If we are heavily influenced by those around us or there are others with strong opinions about what we should do we may feel we must go along even if it’s not what we really want.  If we agree with someone else’s ideas and allow them to choose for us the results of that choice will be our responsibility as well as theirs.  We can’t blame others when we make choices out of pressure or influence.  The choice belongs to us.  If things go wrong, we are responsible.  We can hear other opinions and we can listen to all viewpoints, but in the end the decisions we make belong to us.  We can choose carefully and wisely and when we do we will prevail.

Today if you have a decision you must make and you aren’t sure which way to go, weigh all the options and see all the possibilities.  Listen to those around you and get advice if you need it.  Then make the best decision going forward. You have everything you need to prevail.  You are strong and capable and you will find the best way.

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Falling Rocks

13 Dec

There are a lot of unexpected things that happen to us as we go through our days. Sometimes they are fun and delightful, and sometimes they are a headache that snags up our time and complicates everything. Many times, surprises come without notice and we may be caught off guard, but sometimes there is a warning that something is coming and we should be careful. We may listen to the warning or ignore it and see what happens. In mountainous terrains, there are often warning signs that say, “Falling Rocks” on the sides of the road. There may be steep cliffs and sometimes they have heavy screens over them in an effort to keep rocks from falling on passing cars. The warning sign is not a prediction that rocks will fall as we drive through but a warning that they may. It’s a prompt to make us aware and remind us to keep a watchful eye for what could happen. At the end of the journey if we have navigated through without incident we may forget all about the warning and continue on. But without it in place, as we travel through a possibly perilous area, we would be unaware of the danger. Awareness of any possible problem can give us a heads-up and help us to make wiser choices. If we know that something may go wrong, we may more effectively prepare and be ready.

In our lives, we sometimes get warnings of what might happen to us going forward. Maybe someone advises us to be careful when dealing with someone else, or we hear of a problem in a location where we’re going. There may be times when we feel a silent warning as we prepare to do something and perhaps a prompt that we should do it a little differently. We may feel inspired to take a different road or talk to someone before proceeding. Although we sometimes have no reason to follow a warning, taking a moment to think about it may be wise. There is generally a reason why we’ve received the information and if we consider it valuable instead of just blowing it off we may make better decisions. Being prepared for what may happen will enhance our confidence as we navigate the road ahead.

We can’t live a full and meaningful life if we are afraid. We must be bold going forward and willing to take some risks. Although we may feel some hesitation, if we’ve done everything we can to prepare for the road ahead, we can go forward with confidence that no matter what comes we’ll handle it. Fear is something we all experience from time to time. Some of us have more of it than others, and although it’s wise to pay attention when we feel it, we can courageously plan our steps forward and bravely take them. There really isn’t any situation we’ll face that we won’t be able to figure out. If things go wrong, we’ll redirect our course. If the rocks fall, we can dodge them.

Today if you feel some trepidation about your plans, do what is needed to ensure your path and move forward with confidence. Pay attention to any warnings you receive and choose the best road. You have everything you need to succeed. Nothing will stand in your way. Go forward with confidence and success will follow.

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At the Edge

13 Apr

Most of us want to do our best in all our endeavors.  We try to learn the things, and seek the best outcomes for everything we do.  Sometimes something new is intimidating and although we are motivated, we may not be sure we can accomplish it.  If we push forward we may eventually get to a place where the next step is outside our comfort zone and we are at the edge of mastery.  We haven’t stepped over the line yet, but it’s right there.  When we reach those moments we may stop, unsure if we can really manage going forward.  Sometimes if we succeed in taking that next step it will change everything, and even if the change is something we want, we may feel tremulous and nervous about taking it.  When we’re at the edge, at the very end of one thing and the beginning of another, it can be unnerving.  We wonder if we can really do it.  We wonder what will happen if we do.  And what will happen if we don’t.  Every time we change there is uncertainty.  We know where we are now and even if we really want the change, it’s new territory.  But we can do anything we want, and we have the courage to push through any challenge.  When we reach the edge of something new, we can step right over it, and keep going.

There are lot of reasons to keep things the same.  We know what to expect, we know how to manage our regular routine, and we’re comfortable with the way things are.  But reaching out for something new enhances us and makes our lives richer and more meaningful.  We can learn and do things we’ve always thought about trying, and we can succeed.  If we stay in the same routine throughout our lives we miss the chance to see how far we can really go, and what we can do when we put our minds to it.  We are all capable of far more than we think we are.  There really isn’t anything that is too hard or difficult for us to manage if we work at it.  And when we gain new skills, learn new things, and go new places, our confidence rises and we understand more about our lives and ourselves.

Fear is something we all deal with.  For some of us it’s a rare experience, but for others it’s a constant issue.  It can keep us from trying new things and hold us back.  If it’s strong enough it can cripple our lives if we give into it.  Courage isn’t the lack of fear.  Courage is going forward despite it.  New and unfamiliar territory carries with it a level of uncertainty and if we focus on that instead of the goal we’re seeking, we may never take the first step toward changing.  But if we want something new in our lives, we can look beyond the uncertainty and any fear associated with it, and move forward anyway.  We are capable of doing amazing things but first we must believe we can.  If we have faith and take the first step into the unknown it will lead us to the next.  Each step we take will bring us more confidence and the fear will lessen as we get closer to the goal.  We can do anything.  It’s all within our reach.

Today if you’re at the edge of something you want, and aren’t sure about stepping over it, go forward.  You are worth more than you realize and you can do anything.  There isn’t anything too complicated or daunting for you.  Go forward with confidence.  You have everything you need to succeed.

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Exfoliating

29 Jan

As we go through life, each experience gives us something to take forward. We learn something new, or gain a different perspective, or maybe discover something new about ourselves. We collect and hold onto these souvenirs each day and they color who we are and how we act and react. Some of them are beneficial and we use them to help us be our best and get where we want to go. But some of them are painful reminders of where we’ve been. If the memories hurt they may influence our decisions as we continue on, and may keep us from fulfilling our greatest ambitions. But we can choose to let them go. We can take a good look inside ourselves, see where our insecurities lie, look at how we lost our confidence, and we can change. Like exfoliating dead skin cells from the outside, we can remove bad reactions on the inside. We don’t have to hold onto the pain of bad memories any longer than we want to. The memories will always be there but we can scrub the pain away and keep the memory and the lesson learned.

We all experience good things and bad things. When we’ve had a very painful event, one that is etched deeply in our subconscious or something that changed our lives in a big way, it may be hard to overcome. If we’ve been hurt badly and had to learn a difficult lesson, we may hold onto the pain afraid that letting it go will make us forget what we learned. Although lessons are sometimes painful, the pain is not inexorably tied to the lesson. We can go forward with what we’ve learned and leave the pain behind. Holding onto feelings of sadness, betrayal, loss or distrust will not help us move forward. They may hold us in place, and keep us from advancing afraid of what will come if we let go. But letting go is the best we can do. Once we’ve learned all we can, we can set the experience aside, and look to the future.

Fear is a natural response and nature’s way of keeping us from harm. When we feel it, we step a little more carefully and proceed with caution. There is nothing wrong with feeling afraid but it’s important to understand why we’re feeling it. Is it because there is real danger, or is it because we are unsure? Is it because we may be hurt, or because we aren’t positive we won’t be? We carry every experience of our lives with us every day. If we hold onto those that hurt us, we may be less confident, and more fearful. But we don’t need to carry painful experiences any longer than we want to. We can let them go and leave them behind. We are capable of facing anything that comes to us. And we are capable of recovering from any problem or crisis. We just need to be determined in our pursuits, and convinced of our abilities. We have everything we need to be strong and confident, and we can conquer any obstacle placed before us. Letting go of the heavy burden of pain will help.

Today if you’re struggling because of something that has already passed, you can turn around and let it go. You’ve learned all you can from the experience and it has not diminished you. It has made you stronger and more capable. You know more now than you did before and you’ll use that knowledge going forward. You have everything you need now. You can do anything you want. You are strong. Be confident knowing you will succeed. There isn’t anything you can’t do.

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In a Panic

30 Oct

Most of us have fears of some sort.  Some are tangible – maybe we’re afraid of spiders, elevators, heights or other things.  And some are unseen such as the fear of speaking up or being the center of attention.  Whatever are fears are, they are very real to us even if they are irrational.  For instance, everyone knows they are far larger than any bug on the earth, and they are easily destroyed, but there are some who are terrified of them.  Although our fears may be illogical, they can still be crippling and difficult to manage.  If they are holding us back and preventing us from moving forward in a way that’s important to us, we need to look at them and take action to overcome them.  If they keep us from advancing in our careers, or building healthy relationships that bring us happiness, we need to find a way around them so we can be happy, successful and confident.

Sometimes in our jobs, we are asked to do things that are uncomfortable for us.  If we have a fear of speaking in front of others, being assigned that task may be almost crippling.  We may try to find someone else to do it for us, or plead with our superiors to be excused from the assignment.  However, when we’re asked to do something that frightens us, the best thing to do is face it.  We will never break through our fears unless we confront them head on.  It isn’t easy to do things that terrify us, but oftentimes when we do, we discover they aren’t as difficult or scary as we thought they would be.  The first time is hard, and we may stumble, but we don’t have to stop.  If we push through the experience once, we can push through it again.  After we’ve faced the issue a few times the fear will lesson, and if we keep at it, disappear altogether.

If we are afraid of commitment but really want a permanent relationship, we can make the changes needed to move forward.  If we need professional counseling we can get it.  If we’re unsure and worried about rejection, we can begin by facing that.  No matter what issue is keeping us from going forward, or whatever worries us, we can face them one at a time.  We can begin to extend ourselves a little at first until things become comfortable, and then we can extend ourselves a little further.  In time, we’ll be successful in breaking through the fear and leaving it behind.  Our lives are valuable and each day we have the opportunity to change anything that is holding us in place.  We can move closer to where we want to be, and if we do, nothing will stop us from getting to our goal.  We deserve to be happy, and have everything we dream of.  There isn’t anything that will stop us if we are determined.

Today if you’ve been afraid of going forward in some area of your life, you can start by making one small change.  Do one thing that will move you closer to where you want to be.  Tomorrow, take one more step and continue each day until you get to your goal.  You are far braver than you think you are, and you can do anything.  Start today and before you know it, you’ll be where you want to be and happiness will be your companion.

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