Learning From Fear

[Ann]

You are reading from the book Today's Gift.

As we learn we always change, and so our perception. This changed perception then becomes a new Teacher inside each of us.
--Hyemeyohsts Storm

Hyemeyohsts Storm's book, Seven Arrows, tells the stories of one of the Indian tribes in this country before most of its members were killed. They believed that change was important for growth. Change is sometimes frightening. We usually prefer the familiar, no matter how uncomfortable, over taking a chance on the unknown.

When fear gets in the way of making healthy changes, we talk to fear, inviting it along with us on our course of action. Getting to know fear allows us to ask it for a gift: the courage to walk with fear by our side and learn from it as we go. It allows us to learn which fear is blocking our progress and which fear is healthy--cautioning us against actions that might be harmful.

What fear might I make a friend of today?

[Ann]

This reading today touched something inside. For much of my life I hid behind my fear, denied it, and tried to get past it unnoticed.

Recovery taught me that the way to overcome my fear was to face it head on and walk through it. Acknowledging fear, examining where it really came from and what it was that I was afraid of cut fear down to size. Recovery also taught me that the antidote to fear was faith. Today I have faith that no matter what life hands me, I can survive, I can overcome the obstacle of fear and let my faith lead me to a better place.

Hugs
Ann

[hopealwayz]

I, too, always ran to hide behind fear. I missed many opportunites because fear kept me in a bondage. Faith can overcome fear. These words touched me today.

[greenbeen]

i always thought i had no fear. then i realized i was just afraid of growing up, being hurt and feeling well anything. then i was told that it is part of life and i must accept it. that was way to hard to do so i ran, but i still can't find a place to hide from pain. anyone know how to get through life accepting pain?

[Don W]

Anne, Much of what I've learned the last 2 years was from fear. Fear of a lost job, relationship etc. Just recently, I've learned that my fear was the unknown. Because I drank I didn't know what path would be chosen for me. Fear of drinking and the losses I mentioned was the unknown factor in my life. Today, I've reduced the unknown with knowledge from recovery. I know where the money is coming from to pay the bills. I know my wife will be waiting for a sober Don. I could go on but, the fact is that there are things to fear. Most being not controlled by ourselves. Recovery for myself and I hope others has been the ability to determine the known from the unknown through action. Don W

[Ann]

Now you've gone and got my mind going, Don

I think that there is good fear and bad fear. Good fear keeps us safe. Good fear helps us know when we are in danger and gives us the adrenaline to get out of there fast. It keeps us from doing stupid things sometimes.

The fear that had a grip on me is that bad fear, the one that tells me bad things are going to happen, the fear that whispers "what if?" and "if only" and teaches me to hide from life. That is the fear I need to face and walk through.

Hugs
Ann

[Don W]

I think, I understand the fear you speak of. I've also experenced fear of something that hasn't taken place. One thing I did was use this to validate my doomsday thinking. Things will happen in life, however, I'd expect things to go bad. Then when they did? Hey, I knew something would happen. I think this is where the cognitive therphy helped me. Sort of like assuming somebody is thinking something and acting on it like fact. I can still work myself into a stew just assuming my wife will call and say something bad. When she calls, I'll be short with her. Crazy or what? We've had many arguments thinking we were mind readers. How about others? Don W