How to Dance with Fear. Three Steps to take Now.

The root of all fear is the fear that we cannot handlesmall, never taking risk, and refusing to dream. What
what happens to us. “If I am rejected I will justa boring life! Deep inside we all know that we can be
fall apart!” “If I fail I will never do anythingand create so much more. When we choose to take
again.” The truth is that when we look back at ourthe risk of dreaming big and creating amazing lives
lives bad things have already happened! We havewe will feel fear! The first time I taught a workshop I
been rejected, failed and have experienced loss butwas shaking scared. By the second class I could
we have dealt with it and survived.breath and pass out handouts with out dropping
When I was little I thought someday I would not bethem from my still-shaking hands. By the third class I
afraid. I would try new things with great anticipationwas beginning to enjoy leading it. That is the story of
and bravery. I would not be afraid of bad dreams,fear. When we try something new we will be afraid!
critical words or losing treasured belongings. Then IExpect it, take fear by the hand and say, “Come
would be grown-up. What a sad day when I realizedon let's go do something new!”.
that I was grown-up and I was still scared. (MaybeDance with your fear.Our first reaction when we feel
even more!) The more I choose to think, feel andfear is to hide from it. To pull away. To ignore it.
plan big things for my life, the more fear is myUnfortunately,that doesn't work. As we pull away it
constant companion. What to do? Here are a threepulls us with it and soon we are paralyzed by it. The
steps that have helped me face my fear.best way I have found is to dance with fear. Say to
Understand it.The root of all fear is the fear that weyour fear, “Hi, fear. I know you are there. Come
cannot handle what happens to us. “If I amwith me as I face this new challenge.” As fear
rejected I will just fall apart!” “If I fail I willgrabs you, circle around and dance with it. Always
never do anything again.” The truth is that whenmoving in the direction you choose. As you take
we look back at our lives bad things have alreadyaction towards your goals soon you will find that fear
happened! We have been rejected, failed and havewill loosen it's grip. (At least until you try the next
experienced loss but we have dealt with it andnew thing!)
survived. It is the anticipation of what might happenBegin today! What is it that you have wanted to do
that stops us not the actual negative event! I lovebut were too scared to try? Take fear by the hand
this quote by Mark Twain,“I have lived a long lifeand go for it!
and had many troubles, most of which never"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every
happened.”experience inwhich you really stop to look fear in the
Expect it.It is easy to begin avoiding fear by livingface.