When you shift your attitude from a fearful or defensive stance to a heart-opening strength, you can be empowered to make new, powerful choices and behave in ways which may surprise you. Fear will keep you in a place where you believe you are safe even when the opposite is true. Fear will have you believe that you cannot do something, you are wrong, the cost is too high, the path ahead too difficult. Fear says to you, "Stay where you are." Fear disguises itself with the voice of uncertainty and breeds mediocrity and guarantees you an unfulfilled life.
The bad news is if you don't take up the battle with fear and win, the voice gets louder and louder.
To have a full life we must uncover, accept and embrace our fears. The only way to embrace our fears is to recognize them for who they are, misperceptions that have been birthed our of experiences from the past or as part of the challenge of growing.
When I acknowledge my fear, I love and nurture this Scaredy Cat side of me, not trying to make it go away or be anything than what it is-- a part of me that carries my fears. When I acknowledge my fear and stay open to the gifts that it holds, I have access to the confidence and courage that I need to be authentically who I am. Fear can be embraced as a fuel which propels you into a world of courage and confidence.
Even if you feel that you cannot face your fears and yourself, take a deep breath and give yourself permission to to embrace, "I am whole."
Debbie Ford - Courage