What Is Fear?

What is fear? The dictionary says it's "concern or anxiety, a distressing feeling caused by real or imagined impending threat." Dudley Nichols describes fear as "the highest fence." Others have given a more positive view. Miguel de Unamuno says that "fear is the start of wisdom" while an old French proverb states that "fear is the greatest of all inventors."

Fear is always a part of life. As I looked back over my journals I found many references to fear over the years. In 1999 I wrote a list of fears that I wanted to overcome with courage: failure, losing, showing my true feelings, being hurt, losing face, losing my job, losing respect, not being able to write, not having anything to write about, authenticity. Quotes about fear are scattered through the pages:

• Let go of fear.
• Leap and the net will appear.
• Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage.
• I need courage and love to face down the fear.
• The main thing is to do it afraid.
• Work through fear. Don't let it stop you.

So, how do I choose to respond to fear? Will I slink back from the high fence, or will I look for the wisdom and use it to invent a positive response? Each thought, word, and action is my choice. My commitment for 2011 is to let go of the fear that holds me back. It is with courage and love that I will expand my life to reach my potential. Those things that I commit to "more of" will take priority:

• healthy habits
• good use of my resources
• sticking with writing projects
• loving my current situation and being open to opportunity
• looking for ways to make a difference in the lives of others

My life will shrink or expand in proportion to my courage.