FEATURED INK: Breathe/Fear
Often times fear is a sign that we are stepping into our grandest, most audacious selves. Fear doesn't knock on the door of those who play small, staying cozy in the solace of their comfort zones. Rather fear creeps in when we decide to leave the boundaries we have deemed as safe. For many of us, fear is most prevalent when we put ourselves out into the world-- giving a presentation, leaving home for a new city, approaching an attractive stranger, etc..
For me personally, it is the act of writing that causes fear to show up at my door, uninvited and relentless in his pursuit to derail me. Every time I write an article, I do it with fear pressing into my chest cavity, diligently reminding me of my shortcomings as a human being. Ironic as it may be, it is when I am writing that I feel the most alive. Intertwined with fear, is the deep sense of purpose and satisfaction that only the act of writing can afford me.
Fear has become my trusted side kick, notifying me when I am about to expand further into who I came here to be. Putting myself out there for the sake of helping someone else whether it be initiating a conversation or writing an article is always slightly terrifying for me, but accompanying that terror is also a sense of pride in the choice to share my vulnerable, authentic self with the world.
Omitting fear is not the goal, as this would rob us of a sensation that is both vital to our survival and our life experience as beings that use our feelings to navigate the world around us. Rather the objective is to work with fear, to forge a mutually beneficial partnership with this fear character. Next time fear shows up at the door unannounced, let's not be quick to shoo it away. What if instead we were to breathe in deeply and congratulate ourselves for making strides towards our full potential as individuals? To even show up on fear's radar, we need to have been playing on a larger scale. So let's welcome fear with open arms, taking its presence as a signal that we are headed in the right direction.
Amanda,
Conscious Ink Staffer
Amanda Brown is a wellness blogger and a member of the Conscious Ink Team at our home office in Bend, OR. She is passionate about helping people find peace with where they are at while pursuing their best, most fulfilling lives. For more of her work, you can head over to her blog at www.liminalwellness.com.