Everything we want is on the other side of fear.
Unknown
Of all the liars in the world, sometimes the worst are our own fears
- The fear of job loss
- The fear of love slipping away
- The fear of mortality
- The fear of rejection
- The fear of wasting time
Many of the things we fear in life are beyond our control, and fear only brings worry and unrest. Have you ever wondered why we invest so much effort in worrying about things we can’t control? I was stuck in a job for a long time, burying myself in work, but never daring to leave due to the fear of unemployment. I couldn’t even speak up and express my intelligence, fearing that it might offend someone higher up and result in my being fired. Even when I sensed that voicing my opinions could have led to a promotion or planted a seed of change. Fear has often led us down regrettable paths, tempting us with get-rich-quick schemes out of fear of poverty or causing us to become cynical and jealous, damaging our healthy relationships and causing us to say and do things we shouldn’t have.
Living in fear is like being trapped in a prison, while living without fear grants us the freedom to pursue necessary growth without worrying about the consequences.
Fear is the true culprit and should be treated as such. Life will throw unexpected events our way, without our permission, and there’s little we can do except weather the storm. Loved ones may fall ill or pass away, companies may lay off employees. We can’t simply sit in fear and hope for the worst. Instead, we should ask ourselves what we can do today to soften the blow. Accepting and embracing life means accepting both the highs and the lows—it’s an integral part of our journey.
Some people advocate for facing our fears directly, claiming that everything we desire lies on the other side of fear. But we all know it’s easier said than done.
What is it that you fear losing so greatly? If you can’t confront it head-on, can you at least devise an alternative plan or a cushion so to speak? Facing fear head-on means acknowledging that death is an inevitable part of life and therefore, we should seize each day to the fullest. By expressing love to those we care about and ensuring that we live a life free of regrets.
Facing fear head-on also means accepting that nothing lasts forever. If you’re afraid of losing your job, why not develop new skills? I once lost my job, and in retrospect, it was the greatest blessing for my career. It was a fear I had to confront, and I emerged stronger on the other side. I used that period to pursue professional photography, acquire new certifications in my field, and become an expert in interviews. Now, four years later, everything I learned then has contributed to the best things I am and have today. The fear of losing my job is no longer a part of my story. It took losing my job to face my fear head-on. For those reading this, you don’t have to wait until you lose your job to explore alternative ways of sustaining yourself or ‘a cushion’ if the inevitable happens.
Everything always seems so much worse in the dark- so much worse when you don’t know what it it.
Bozoma St John- The Urgent Life
To overcome our greatest fear, we have to confront them, like a flash light, and peering under the bed to make sure that the boogieman isn’t there afterall.
The fear of having lost time extends to various other scenarios. People often panic because they feel they should have achieved certain things by a specific age. But who set these timelines? Certainly not God, and He is the creator of the world.
It’s never too late to begin. Start from where you are and see where life takes you. Just ensure that you give your best effort. You don’t want your life story to be filled with “had I known” moments, as regret can be deeply painful.
History is full of individuals who started late but achieved great success. Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder of KFC, started his company at the age of 65.
Dorothy Steel’s acting career took off late as well; she was cast in “Black Panther” at 90, not long after she began her professional acting journey. She passed away at 95. Can you believe that?
We should not allow fear to dictate our lives.
Ask yourself today, ‘What am I afraid of that stands between me and my dreams? Why am I afraid? What is the worst that can happen if I face that fear today? What steps can you take to confront that fear?’
With these questions answered you will be surprised at how exaggerated our fears are sometimes.
“Grant to us the serenity of mind to accept that which cannot be changed; courage to change that which can be changed, and wisdom to know the one from the other.”
