On F.E.A.R
Fear is an illusion, “False evidence appearing as real” as they said. It is a fight with the long-lost legacy, the unknown. It is a compass that no longer serves your higher purpose, a souvenir to be kept away.
Here is my experience of fear.
We, modern humans, barely comprehend fear in its pure form. We only experience the residues, therefore, the symptoms and effects. Only by closely observing its symptoms, effects, and how it affects our decisions, we understand fear.
Fear is a form of self-preservation, a temporal combination of fight-or-flight responses.
It is a deeply rooted evolutionary adaptation that has helped all of our ancestors avoid danger, survive, and pass on their genes. But this wisdom of nature didn't adapt well to modern life.
In the modern world, fear only alters one from the higher form of ourselves, the environment, and the universe. Even in a more secure world than our ancestors fear still lingers discouraging us from consistent work, making progress, and taking risks just to keep us from danger.
In the modern world, one has to evolve from this fear of reservation.
The Book of Proverbs (written in the 10th BCE) told us fear evolved from self-preservation to a snare brought by the fear of the temporary opinions or (in)actions of fallible human beings. The fear of man, the environment, and that which is external and is easier to manage than those that come from within.
What about the fear of failure and, surprisingly, the fear of success?
These appear as compulsion and procrastination. Other times as subtle reminders or splinters of mindsets from an old life that say you are not good enough. Fear of failure diminishes chances of starting with what we have. It makes procrastination second nature - I’d rather let time pass than create opportunities for witnessing our failure.
Fear is an unrealistic expectation and an (overly) ambitious understanding of our capacity as human beings.
Here is how you win it.
The less aware we are of our fears, the more they dictate our lives. Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate. (Jung)
Imagine fear as a compass, that once guided you in to the right destination, who no longer serves your higher purpose.
And your old compass, you ought not to fight, you simply bid farewell. In this race of life, first admit that you’re afraid of running. Then, take a tiny step and put one foot in front of another, despite the noises and the compulsion to stop or procrastinate. Then Run. And keep running. And never look back.
After all, fear is just False Evidence Appearing as Real.