Courage and Support Helps Us Face Our Fears 9/29/17

      I  hope your day was fantastic.                                                                                                   If not, you are in the right place.  Having an     Attitude of Gratitude is critical if we want to get the most out of life.  It is the forward driving perspec-tive that enables us to thrive.                                                                   For more about that, please click here.  It's best seeing what can be done.  Better basking in the blessings we have, than live with regret and fear. 

       Below is a quote about the self-sabotaging nature of fear. May these thoughts help us face and overcome it. 

     My growth involves re-versing old ways of thinking. It was my habit avoiding painful feelings and sit-uations. It was better playing it safe. To avoid risk. [This is being controlling.]

     But life in-volves one risk after another.  Pain is unavoid-able.  Life is learning to accept what is.  This is no longer being engaged with reactive living. 

     When we are reactive, we are not moving towards wholeness, healing or progress.  We are living by default modes that do not serve us. 

      Instead of feeling helpless or hopeless, I look at the source of my distress. I sort out my feelings and process the needs beneath them. This is taking an honest look at myself and my situation. 

    As a result, I find that pain passes more quickly, and what I gain is freedom from fear. 

    I can reach out to a supportive friend or God, and pray.  I can meet with others who care about me to find the courage to deal with fear, pain, and risk. 

    When I  avoid taking risks, fear is always with me.  It is over my shoulder, waiting to claw at me.  

     Now, I face this beast.  I wake the tiger of fear. I come out the other side of its den, usually unscathed. I no longer keep a constant watch for danger. Now, I occupy myself with living.

    Wonderful things can happen today. I welcome the thrill of participating in my own life.

****** 

'Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure.  Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.'    Helen Keller

              If we are not failing, we are not trying.  And if we are not trying, we are not truly living.  What is the upshot of trying and failing?  We took our shot and were shot down.  But we are still standing.  

     The words to the left, expressed by William were spoken in 1604.   They are still true more than four hundred years later.  Progress occurs when principles are placed above not only our personality but also above our fears. 

         Sometimes this requires taking life not one day at a time.  

       It can be better stepping out in life for fifteen minutes at a time.  We place one foot in front of the other.  We are taking baby steps.  

       This is seeking God's will. We are relying, moment-by-moment, upon His power.  Not ours. 

       It is easier, facing difficulties in small increments. Next, we B-R-E-A-T-H-E!  Then we repeat the process for the next fifteen minutes.  

       And the next, and the next after that, and so on.  This is being present and practicing being in the presence of God. 

     

    It helps hav-ing a supportive network of great friends.  When we do, serenity is ours. Why? Because we no longer make decisions or take action alone.  

      We are in a community.  We are experiencing an emotional connection at the highest level. 

       We are finding safety in this treacherous, challenging world.  We enjoy inclusion, we are appreciated, valued. We are bonded with others who have our back. 

       While flying the airplane of life, our good friends and our relationship with God rouse us to-wards the exit. Yes, while we are in flight.  Encour-aged, we leap out the door of adventure.  We leave the comfort of routine living.  

       We have broken free from the status quo, remaining the same. We are plunging into discovering  what is.  This is living. 

It may be scary. But being present is necessary for personal growth and a fulfilling life. It is taking risks.  It is no longer playing it safe.  

       We confront uncomfortable outcomes, calmly, with confidence. Living fully is embracing and overcoming negative realities, calmly, with confidence. We banish the stultifying nature of a control-oriented life. 

       No matter how fearful life appears, we can be empowered.  The support of excellent, confident, emotionally healthy friends provides the trapeze net that allows us to fly and spin under the Big Top if life. 

        We are connected to our Higher Power.  Like the first picture in this post, we are not alone.  We free-fall into a world filled with adventure, vibrancy and satisfaction.  
   

     We move away from our death grip of  being controlling.  

     The result is knowing better friends.  Our relationships are deeper, more meaningful. When we are controlling we create distance and distrust.  

      No one likes being manipulated.  Our friends prefer authenticity. It provides respect, intimacy, and a give-and-take nature that everyone wants. 

       Our supportive friends and our relationship with a loving, gentle God are our parachutes. Healthy principles and recovey guide us so as we safely descend upon the landing zone of a richer, more thrilling life.

        May your day be bold and fearless.