I can’t put a face on fear. I can’t picture it at all.
I can identify many images, thoughts and feelings with fear. . .
Dark spaces
Dusty corners
Frightening sounds
Glowing lights
Did you hear that?
Shadowy figures
Whispers
That feeling that someone is watching me
Eerie gusts of wind
A cold chill
A bad taste in my mouth
A sense that something bad is about to happen
Those days when everything goes wrong
Waiting for test results
Getting a phone call late at night
The cats are acting weird again
Getting chills down my spine
Getting that feeling in my gut
My knees are shaking
Feeling a tremor, is it the big one?
Getting called to the boss’ office
Hearing the words, “We need to talk.”
Hearing a sonic boom
Hearing sirens
Hearing thunder
Hearing random fireworks. . . or, is that a gun shot?
Watching the news
Feeling a lump
Thinking about death
Wondering, “What if?”
How do I react to fear?
I’m scared. CLAIM IT
I’m worried. ACKNOWLEDGE IT
I’m unsure. FACE IT
What’s the worst that can happen? QUESTION IT
Hold me! SEEK REASSURANCE
Whatever happens, it is going to be okay. ACCEPT IT
Just breathe! PROCESS IT
I can do this. BE CONFIDENT
I can get through this. BE FAITHFUL
I am ready! BE COURAGEOUS
I believe in myself. BE GRATEFUL
It’s well-known that fear and gratitude cannot coexist. “Gratitude requires us to stay in the now. Fear is living in the future. That’s why gratitude and fear cannot coexist. If you fill yourself with gratitude you will notice that your anxious thoughts and fear dissolve.”
Fearing the unknown (or uncomfortable) in a business venture or relationship can be dispelled by true grit and courage. When we are facing our deepest darkest fears and demons this feeling of doom can be lifted by thoughts of gratitude. Count your blessing next time you start to get worried. Fill your heart with gratitude and the fears will disappear.
