Fear

My life experiences have revealed to me that as human beings, we fear the unknown. What is it about not knowing that makes us so anxious? What is it that we are so afraid of? I looked up definitions of the word ‘fear’ and I found that most entries allude to “possible” and “probable” situations of danger to define fear. I realize that there are real dangers and reasons to be afraid, but why fear something that you’re not even sure will happen? I guess that’s just the way of the human mind. Fear is a powerful tool. What other emotion has the power to prevent us from doing something well before we’ve ever even tried it? And as easily as fear can hinder us from accomplishing a task, it can just a easily cause us do things we would have probably never done. Allow me to use relationships as an example. We often go into new relationships with our old relationships as a prerequisite. We base every almost decision on something that has happened in the past relationship, in hopes that we are not hurt, or that the other partner doesn't pull the wool over our eyes. Just as the definitions allude to, we base the new relationship on possible and probable situations, instead of looking at what is already there. Understandably, it's difficult to simply let go of all of the things that hurt us in previous relationships, but how long do we allow fear to guide us in our new destinies?
When I was a child, there was a sign hanging in the gym where I practiced cheerleading that read:

False
Evidence
Appearing
Real

It's simple, but true at best. Fear can be incredibly hard to shake, especially for those of us who've centered our lives around it. I say, face those fears. Don't let fear determine the direction of your destiny.
--