We all have fears. Some are as basic as a fear of spiders, snakes… or a big favorite: public speaking. Then some are much more complex such as the fear of making a life change. There is a sense of comfort that comes along with consistency and routine. For some, there is a real fear in breaking the pattern of their life; even when they may not be actually happy in that life.
At the age of 40 I finally faced my fear of stepping outside of my comfort zone. Up until then I hadn’t realized the comfort zone I was living in was not so comfortable. I lived my entire life in fear that someone, anyone, around me would become volatile at any moment. I was always ready to make whatever sacrifices I needed to make to make the yelling stop. After peeling back the layers I recognized that a prominent adult in my childhood was always yelling. Always angry. Communication through aggressive speech had become the normal pattern and routine. In adulthood I had replaced one unhappy person with another. The drama continued. I’ve heard it said before that we unconsciously can be attracted to the exact behavior that we’re trying to get away from. Pretty wild, but it proves out time and time again.
I’m now 50 years old and for the past ten years I’ve been surrounded by people who love and support me. No longer does fear control my life in any shape or manner.
If we allow it, fear can control our life. Fear can dash our dreams, can make us feel regret and waste a lot of years that could have been put to better use.
I used to watch the TV show “Addiction” a while back. The show followed an alcoholic or drug user for some time and at the end of the show there was an intervention to get the person help. I was always interested in what the “trigger” was for the person’s downward spiral. That lead me to believing that if you “find the pain, you can find the solution.” It’s the same way with fear, when you find the insecurity, you can find the solution.
At the end of the day, we all have fears, the small ones such as a fear of spiders is not going to ruin our lives. However, the big one’s can certainly take away from us living our best life.
Is fear holding you back? If so, it’s time to face it and eliminate it so you no longer have that baggage to carry around.
Every week when I say live free my friends, I mean it in so many different ways. Free of debt, a free mindset and a free attitude.
And free of Fear.
Carpe Diem. There’s no time like the present.
Live free my friends,
Eric Gaddy
