It’s kind of a funny thing, that expression “It scared me to death.”
[Recently discussed by Geoff at Debbie LaChusa’s Money Success Happiness blog at www.moneysuccesshappiness.com] In my work with people, and in my own personal life, one of the biggest components of happiness, success, obstacles, or challenges always seems to boil down to one thing: FEAR. Now, you may think you know what fear means… you certainly know what it feels like… but let me paraphrase a definition I like a lot: Forgetting Everything’s All Right.
I have come to see that one of the biggest obstacles to peace and healthy relationships is FEAR.
So, in thinking about how many times I’ve said, “I’m scared to death to do….,” or “I think I’ll do that later, because I’m just scared to death of what might happen,“… or, “I’ll talk with him/her next week, because I’m scared to death of how they might react (That one sound familiar to those of you out there with spouses/partners?)”, I realized that a major shift in perspective is so essential for us to really have what we want. This is certainly true in romantic relationships, but particularly relevant to our success in life, in general, as well.
Turning Fear Around.
What if, instead of relating to the fears we have as stops, we used them as indicators and signs of positive actions and directions ready to happen?
I have so often used fear to stop me, not catching on to the opportunity the fear is presenting me to take the next step(s) towards greatness… great results in my business, great health, and/or even greater levels of connection to my wife, who I’ve been with for 30 years now. A coach I work with reminded me that, if you’re really scared, it’s a sure sign you’re ready to grow exponentially. Oy!
I’ve always interpreted it to mean it’s time to stop and/or wait… until it’s safe.
Wait until there’s enough control. Or, wait until I’m SURE that the result is predictable and assured. At 54, I have gotten old enough—and, presumably wiser enough—to look back and see how many opportunities for love, wealth, connection, and peace have been missed because I was relating to my fear the wrong way.
So, my offering to you today is: stop letting feeling scared to death stop you (unless such a level of fear is attached to the reality of an oncoming car making its way towards your certain annihilation). Instead, try spending a day (just for starters!) being committed—NO MATTER WHAT—to being Scared Back To Life.
Let me know how it turns out for you!
