{"id":6393,"date":"2020-12-24T13:30:00","date_gmt":"2020-12-24T20:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lifestyle.org\/?p=6393"},"modified":"2023-08-04T11:03:28","modified_gmt":"2023-08-04T18:03:28","slug":"the-gift-of-fearlessness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lifestyle.org\/the-gift-of-fearlessness\/","title":{"rendered":"The Gift of Fearlessness"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fear is a parasite that feasts on your hope and dreams. Whether it\u2019s the fear of loss, missing out on something, or the fear of rejection, fear drains your soul of life and joy. Fear paralyzes.<\/p>\n

How much does fear rule your life? Is it turning you into a person you don\u2019t like? Is it an unwanted companion you wish would go away?<\/p>\n

Here are five common fears and tips for dealing with them.<\/p>\n

1. You let what people think of you affect how you live<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s nice to feel accepted\u2026 to belong. But when you compromise who you are to fit in and be accepted, something needs to change.<\/p>\n

Never let the fear of rejection shape your desires or the kind of person you want to become.<\/p>\n

Settling for a life that isn\u2019t truly yours is settling for life in prison.<\/p>\n

Never let people control how you act, think, or live. Sure, they have an influence \u2013 but not a controlling influence. Living a life of reaction isn\u2019t living at all.<\/p>\n

Your life is YOURS to live.<\/p>\n

So decide what YOU want! Stop making unhealthy compromises just to fit in or be accepted. Don\u2019t change who you just to keep \u201clove\u201d or certain people in your life.<\/p>\n

Decide what you want and don\u2019t want. Set realistic, achievable goals. And take action because \u201caction\u201d is an effective strategy for escaping fear\u2019s grip.<\/p>\n

2. You keep your thoughts and desires to yourself<\/strong><\/p>\n

The fear of criticism is as powerful as the fear of rejection. You might think that if they really knew how you thought or felt \u2013 if they knew the REAL you \u2013 they might not like you. So what? Is pretending to be something you\u2019re not and sacrificing your happiness really worth it?<\/p>\n

The thing is, people can tell when you\u2019re holding back, leading them not to trust you or wondering if you\u2019re being deceptive.<\/p>\n

Give yourself the gift of being honest. It might take courage at first but peace of mind and heart, along with self-respect, are worth the risk.<\/p>\n

Respect your ideas enough to share them because your thoughts, feelings, and desires are just as important as anyone else\u2019s.<\/p>\n

3. You resist trying new things<\/strong><\/p>\n

The fear of failure keeps us from taking chances and risks \u2013 even well-calculated ones.<\/p>\n

This type of fear shows up as putting things off, sabotage, panic, and anxiety attacks.<\/p>\n

The fear of failure is crippling. It undermines our abilities and confidence. We start believing things like, \u201cI\u2019m not good enough,\u201d or \u201cI\u2019m not worthy,\u201d or \u201cI\u2019ll never be as good as they are.\u201d<\/p>\n

If this sounds like you, find some inspiring quotes that give you the courage to move forward; keep them where you can see them all the time, like on a mirror or the refrigerator, to be reminded often of how amazing you are. As you take action, your self-confidence will grow, and your life will improve little by little.<\/p>\n

4. You avoid doing the right thing<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fear makes people do things they know are wrong. It can also keep them from doing what they know is right by either saying nothing or doing nothing.<\/p>\n

Are you afraid of offending someone, being punished, judged, rejected, ostracized, or of retaliation?<\/p>\n

When forced to choose between right and wrong, remember your principles and what you believe.<\/p>\n

Decide to stand up for what\u2019s right.<\/p>\n

If you need some courage to do the right thing, write on a piece of paper, all the things fear will cost you or others if you stand idly by and do nothing. Then, burn it up and move forward bravely.<\/p>\n

5. You settle for less than you want or deserve<\/strong><\/p>\n

You settle for a career that\u2019s just \u201cokay,\u201d or a safe but passionless relationship or you settle for \u201caverage\u201d health that\u2019s just a few pounds overweight.<\/p>\n

You fool yourself into believing that it isn\u2019t really that bad. \u201cIt could be worse,\u201d you think\u2026 at least you\u2019re safe and know what to expect.<\/p>\n

You get one life. Never settle; it doesn\u2019t do you or anyone else any good. Settling snuffs out hope. Want a dull, boring, numb life? Settle. Settling kills enthusiasm, hope, passion, and creativity.<\/p>\n

Want to stop settling? Start taking risks, even small ones. You deserve to live life on YOUR terms; if you\u2019re not trying, you\u2019re not living.\u00a0And if you\u2019re settling, you\u2019re not free either.<\/p>\n

Stop worrying about disappointing people, and start living and dreaming of a brighter, more passionate tomorrow.<\/p>\n

Different Types of Fears Holding You Back<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fear is a thief waiting to steal your joy and everything you hold dear to your heart. Here\u2019 a common list of fears we all struggle with from time time:<\/p>\n