When fear presents itself, it can be troublesome, dangerous, and difficult to purge, but “trust” it always arrives when needed.

Fear derives its meaning from fere, feraz, fær, gevaar, and gefahr. Each of the old world words carries a varied and subtle aspect of today’s use of fear.  Over time, the differences culminated into conveying a “state of being afraid, uneasiness caused by possible danger.” Fear is rooted in emotion and is often correlated with bodily sensations – boosts in adrenaline, goosebumps,  discomforts, and release of something things we won’t mention. In addition, when physical or emotional harm is expected, fear elicits an alert in our minds that cause flight or fight. In high doses, fear can cause mania, panic, and disillusionment. Unabated, it can manifest as a myriad of phobias.  Even in low doses, fear can reveal itself as distrust and paranoia.

Although fear generally has a negative connotation it’s not fear, but the reaction to fear that causes turmoil. Fear, at its core, is simply a heightened state of awareness. Our thoughts interpret “the alarm”  and assign meaning through rational and/or irrational means.  So, fear is exactly what you think it is – a pain in the ass, a big bad wolf, a lumberjack of doom. Sky’s the limit depending on one’s imagination. It is totally subjective, and the”heightened state” will grow or dissipate depending on “wrong thinking” or “right thinking.”

“Wrong thinking” reacts to fear and panics.  Thoughts amplify in intensity and repeat incessantly. “______ will happen because this happens and continues to happen to me(rational) or  “_________ will destroy me, consume me, immobilize me, embarrass me, reject me, etc.(irrational). Often times fear coupled with “wrong thinking” poisons relationships, worldviews, and self-love. Lost in “wrong thinking,” fear is cyclical and will present itself over and over and over again until its true purpose for existing is uncovered and altered.

“Right thinking” does not react or panic.  Thoughts focus on fear as a call to awareness that can be examined and calmly addressed. “________happened to me in the past, but I can change or ” ________ is coming. I need to keep my wits to survive. “Right thinking” views fear in its true identity as a protector and a teacher. Fear is no longer seen as a reason to be afraid. It’s seen as an opportunity to ask self-examining questions. Why am I scared? Why is fear protecting me? What do I need to change to release fear? Free of panic and calm in thoughts, fear will provide the answers and once it does it will move away until it is needed again.

Words by Oneiric Omnestar!