Don't Choose Fear

Fear is nothing more than a figment of your imagination. In some cases it is a justifiable one but in many others it is nothing more than a response to insecurity or shame. Fear when faced with danger is a physiological reaction triggered for survival, physical survival. Fear as a reaction to insecurity or shame is also triggered for survival, mental and emotional survival. Regardless of the circumstance, fear requires a defense. Facing danger, fight or flight kicks in and you either defend by fighting or defend by running. Facing insecurity or shame, one defends by aggression or defends by isolation.

The body has difficulty distinguishing between the two types of fear. There is however a decision which allows you to distinguish between them. This decision is all about perception. There is little choice or decision required when facing an actual or imminent threat. This is not the aspect that I am concerned with. I am concerned with the perception of a threat as it pertains to insecurity or shame. The decision to face one's fears or not is likely the most life altering decision one would ever make.

Facing self esteem issues or shame is an emotional exploration of one's deepest and darkest corners of the soul. It is typically a long and frustrating journey of self-reevaluation. Core beliefs, cognitive distortions and emotional reasoning affect our perception of the world and the events within it. This perception determines our fear and ultimately our response to it. The choice is simple; re-evaluate these core beliefs, cognitive distortions and emotional reasoning and ultimately eliminate your fear and therefore lower your level of stress. The act of this re-evaluation however will likely be the most difficult and courageous thing a person could ever do. It is for that reason, that the reward for this examination is the greatest reward ever, the opportunity to live with joy rather than in fear.