Coping with Fear

[phoenix]

Fear is static that prevents me from hearing myself.
—Samuel Butler

The trouble with deep feelings is they shout over the soft-spoken voices of our thoughts. When our consciousness is bombarded with the deafening volume of out-of-control emotions, perspective is impossible.

When fear is in control, fight or flight are our only options. More often than not, we choose flight and scurry off to one of our numerous hiding places. There, we can't hear the dissenting opinions voiced by our own thoughts; in effect, our most responsible self is drowned out.

But action talks louder than fear or any other rampaging emotion. If confronted directly and bravely, any tyrant emotion reveals itself as a mouse rather than a lion, a mouse whose terrifying roar is really a squeak held up to a microphone.

Let me not be intimidated by emotional outbursts. I know that persistent, rational action will see me through.



From the book, Days of Healing Days of Joy
© 1992

Just needed to hear this today.

phoenix

[margo]

Great post, Phoenix - thanks!

[Pamsters]

[quote]Originally posted by phoenix
[b][b]Fear is static that prevents me from hearing myself.
—Samuel Butler


When fear is in control, fight or flight are our only options. More often than not, we choose flight and scurry off to one of our numerous hiding places. There, we can't hear the dissenting opinions voiced by our own thoughts; in effect, our most responsible self is drowned out.

itself as a mouse rather than a lion, a mouse whose terrifying roar is really a squeak held up to a microphone.

This was me when I was too scared to face a situation that I made due to my using or that person I had to tell the truth, too.
I would get depressed and isolate so I didn't have to hear anyones opinion about me or the situation. I feel inside I'm the mouse but I will squeak sometimes without the microphone and make sure people will still hear what I have to say...what a change this program makes to people who just stick and stay.