Millies Musings: F.E.A.R.

Future Events Appearing Real

By Victoria Ugarte

“From Wall Street to Main Street”, one article quotes. “Black Friday” screamed last Friday’s edition of the Herald. Everywhere we look, in every publication and TV/radio stations around the world, as the global financial crisis makes more headlines, the prevailing sentiment in our current reality is fear, confusion and panic.

Whilst everything appears to be crashing down around our ears, it’s only too easy to get caught up in the mood of the general mass. And yet, being afraid, worrying incessantly and panicking is the worst thing that we can all do for ourselves and the global economy right now. In fact, dwelling on, worrying about, and investing in our fears is the factor that will escalate the reality that we fear the most. With this in mind, it’s in all our best interest to understand FEAR and how it works, and through this, reprogram the way we deal with it.

FEAR, by definition, is a construct of our minds. We cannot touch it, we cannot feel it. Yet despite its intangible nature, it is powerful because we ourselves give it life. For sheer survival, nothing beats it. When we are in danger and our survival is threatened, our brain goes into auto-pilot. It sends out a signal to our body in the form of fear/nervousness/anxiety that warns us that we are approaching a danger zone, that we are vulnerable, and to be on guard. It prompts us to make the necessary adjustments to the current situation, such as Fight or Flight, so that we can come back to what is familiar and safe.

But here is where the problem lies. The mind is so powerful, that even if the fear is imagined (and our lives may in fact not be in danger), our bodies will react in exactly the same way. Our heart beat will still escalate, our pulse will race, and our bodies will be flooded with adrenalin, preparing us for the Fight or Flight response. But because the fear is imagined and the danger never eventuates, we neither have to fight or flight. But the stress that is caused during this process, as it has no release, poisons our own physical systems, causing dysfunction, and eventually, disease. Multiply this state several times a day for an extended amount of time, and you get the picture on what this continuous state can do to ones mental, physical and emotional well being, not to mention the ability to think clearly. Investing too much energy in our fears, unless life threatening, does not allow us to move through them and find possible solutions to our problems. Our fear is precisely what will sabotage our success.

The key to all this is to recognise that the mind cannot distinguish between what is real and what is imagined. Whenever we are confronted with the sensations of fear and anxiety, we need to ask ourselves, ”Is this a genuine danger? Can this really hurt me?” It’s perfectly OK to feel the fear when we are approaching unchartered territory, and it’s normal to feel discomfort at this time. However, rather than allowing the fear to take control, we must stay centered and remained focused. The mind is a very powerful tool, and like all powerful tools, we need to control it, and not allow it to control us. Otherwise, it is capable of running riot and sending us all into a mental and emotional spin. Whatever we construct in our minds as a possible reality is what is likely to manifest.

Remember that FEAR is mind-driven. Its antidote, SERENITY, can only be achieved by connecting with the heart. And we connect with the heart by surrounding ourselves with beauty (e.g. art, music, nature, whatever we are passionate about) or with those that we love. And it is when we are serene and centered that possible solutions present themselves, opportunities are recognized and breakthroughs are imminent. Whenever I have been afraid, I remember the old saying, “The darkest hour is just before the dawn.” This helps keep things in perspective.

Now, more than ever in this time of global uncertainty, is the time to focus on the heart and find serenity. Everything else will fall into place.

When FEAR becomes overwhelming, try focusing instead on the following

* Get active. Use that excess adrenalin up in physical activity. Otherwise, it can be toxic for the body.

* Focus on things of beauty e.g. nature, art, music, whatever is your passion.

* Spend time with loved ones and those that make you happy.

* Step outside of your routine, and do something you enjoy.

* Meditate/ Focus of your breathing.

* Keep things in perspective, and recognize that this too will pass.

* Avoid sinking into despair.

It isn’t easy to be honest with ourselves, gain awareness, make the choice to change our direction, and commit to an empowered life. It's a never ending process and struggle. That’s why they call it the “Hero’s Journey”. It’s scary to look within and trust one’s own intuition. It’s frightening to go out on a limb and take a stand, especially when this could mean making certain decisions that may require you to go against the flow or popular opinion.

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