Fear is an interesting emotion one I have yet to, nor ever will, completely comprehend. What I do know is that many of us spend the majority of our lives not only living in fear, but allowing it to dictate the terms of what we call life.
While fear certainly has the potential to hold you back, being scared isn’t always as bad as it may seem. In fact, I believe that being scared is an important component of growth and essential in expressing your gifts to the world.
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Expands Your Comfort Zone
Being scared generally means opportunities for growth. I’m all about pushing outside your comfort zone in a way that makes sense for you.
If you move to a new country for example, like I did when I went from The US to Shanghai, it’s normal to be scared first.
Will I fit in? How will I respond to the new culture? Will people like me? However after you arrive and are immersed in your new surroundings your threshold for what scares you will most likely rise.
If you face your fears rather than run from them, your perspective on what you can and can’t handle will change.
When I go back and look at the various fears I had growing up I’m amazed at how many of them don’t phase me anymore. Expand your comfort zone and you will be rewarded with opportunities you never thought possible.
Fear is Relative
What scares you now may have no affect on you many years down the road. There’s no point in worrying whether or not you’ll overcome a certain fear. When I was younger I never thought I’d enjoy roller coasters but as it turns out I’ve come to love them.
Just because you’re scared of something now doesn’t mean you won’t own your fear in days to come. Being afraid of something just means you have a chance to out grow it. And when you out grow a fear you usually end up better off.
As you mature and experience new paths your definition of fear will continue to change. Being scared simply means there are more paths you need to explore.
Makes Life Exciting
Why is it that so many people want to risk their life and jump out of a plane? Because it’s scary that’s why. While many of us intentionally design our lives to be safe, deep down many of us crave a bit of scary in our everyday life.
If you’re scared of snakes, wrapping one around your neck probably won’t do much for you, but choosing specific fears for you to overcome and conquer can be incredibly rewarding.
With fear generally comes uncertainty, and there’s something about uncertainty that we are often attracted to. Overcoming a personal battle or struggle can really take life to the next level. Without fear your life becomes a boring sitcom rerun.
Creates New Boundaries
When you’re afraid you have a chance to immerse yourself in a whole new world. I used to be afraid of sharing my thoughts with people online, but that fear turned into something I now enjoy.
On the side of each fear is a boundary waiting to be explored. The more you face your fears the more you “level up” and the better you’re able to handle future problems and setbacks.
If you simply live a life with your comfortable you’ll become stagnant and miss out on the numerous opportunities of growth.
Had I never began blogging, I wouldn’t have been introduced to the wonderful community I’ve come to love. Your fears are often a blessing in disguise.
Means You’re Alive
If you’re scared you know you’re doing something right. If you’re scared it means you’re human.
Far too many of us, myself often included, sit back and watch life pass us by. Sure we may have the comfort of “security” but we aren’t doing anything worth while.
Obviously, not all fears are created equal. There are some situations where fear is not good and unhealthy, however many times we get worked up over fears that can be successfully over come.
Fear is universal, yet it is those who see fear use it as fuel that create the life that they desire.
I happen to think that being scared is a good thing, as long as you don’t allow it to stop you in your tracks. Question now is: do you?