Reimagining Fear
I understand that many of us want to avoid that feeling of fear; the fear that creeps into your stomach and churns into the need to fight, flight or freeze. This feeling of fear is a very human energy and it is there to protect us. Now how we react or respond to that fearful feeling determines what happens next. Fear can cause us to shut down or it can ignite in us a capacity to use that energy to shift, create or do something meaningful.
How can we see Fear as an ally rather than as a dreaded foe?
Maybe we should reframe fear, and see it as a guard dog or a very strong feeling to become aware of your surroundings and to listen to your inner guidance.
I am reminded years ago when I was driving at night on the 401 from Toronto to Sarnia, heading home to Mt. Clemens, Michigan. I was on a ramp that would take me to the freeway when two trucks tried to sandwich me in. They could only see myself and my mom in the car. I could see one was using a walkie talkie (way before cell phones) as they tried to move me over to the side of the road. Fear really kicked in and I spun my car around and went over the median and off the road and returned to the rest stop. My dad had been sleeping in the back seat when he woke up and yelled “what are you doing, are you crazy?” My heart was pounding, I was crazy, yes, crazy smart because I believe my higher self kicked in and used fear to get me out of what could have been a horrible situation.
Fear is not our enemy. It is our ally that our higher self uses to get us to “step on the gas” turn swiftly, and take the necessary action step to do what needs to happen to remain cautious and vigilant.
There is however unnecessary fear, and you can tell that is fabricated by the ego because it is based on cultural expectations. The fear of failure is really the fear of living a bold and full life. It doesn’t matter what you are doing, it is how you are showing up in the world. Are you showing up afraid of what others think or are you showing up with love in your heart because you are connected to Spirit.
Spirit will not let you down; Spirit uses the human experience of fear as a catalyst for growth that causes us to Trust ourselves much more and know that when we are connected with Source, with our Higher Self fear will not stop us but will invite us to know we are up to something really amazing.
Blessings, Rev Janice
