This post is based off of a journal entry I wrote this past June. Enjoy.
Poem No. 2
"I have organized all my fears,
we are having a rally tonight.
Please, come, attend."
-Ijeoma Umebinyuo, Questions for Ada
So, let's talk about fear.
Fear is okay. Actually, it is more than okay. In a lot of cases, it can be productive. But before we get into all of that, let's try to define what fear is first. Fear is a natural, knee-jerk reflex to things that we perceive as harmful or intimidating to us. We can't always control when we experience fear, but we can control how we react to it.
Fears are meant to be confronted.
One of the biggest acts of disservice we can inflict on ourselves is to allow fear to lead us blindly. It is more than harmful when it becomes our compass, haphazardly avoiding shadows that pose as threats. By confronting them, they lose much of their power. Instead of being a loud, dark, and mysterious force in our lives, we see them at face value. It becomes a whisper in the back of our minds, the anxiety that keeps us alert but not constantly terrified. At that point, fear is actually doing it's job instead of forcing you to veer off road.
Part of self-awareness and mindfulness is continuously acknowledging and speaking to these fears. Hear them out, but do not allow them to disable you. They present themselves for a reason, to serve you, not lead you. The refusal to be led primarily by fear is the opening up of your mind to new experiences, people, and places.
It makes life sweeter, more vibrant.
The path to becoming your highest self is not paved by fear. We can choose to be led by our sense of curiosity, creativity, and yes, as corny as it sounds, love. So I encourage you to sit with your fears, anxieties, and insecurities. Sit with them. Speak with them. Hear them out. It will be uncomfortable, yes. But, it will also spark growth, emotional freedom, and even joy.
Have the courage to take just one step closer to your light. I hope you know that you truly deserve that much.
We all do.
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