Halloween for years has been considered a time for honoring the dead.
Today we put up decorations in our house and watch scary films to embrace the holiday. But during a time when we should be embracing fears, are we avoiding them?
What is fear? It’s the feeling you get when you are not sure of an outcome. The moment you focus on the unknown and the possibility of something happening that will make you feel uncomfortable. We all have fears that we deal with on a daily basis. The questions we need to ask ourselves are what fears do we have, and are they influencing our decisions. Have our goals and dreams been held back because of our fears?
One fear that can be directly rooted to other popular phobias is fear of the unknown.
It can be unsettling not to know the definitive outcome of a situation. This fear can easily impact major decisions that influence the way you live your life. Here are three steps can you take to conquer your fear.
- What’s the worst thing that can happen? Start asking yourself this question. Comfort can be found in writing a list of worst case scenarios for situations in which you fear the unknown. This allows you to compare the best scenarios with the worst one. Does the positive outcome compensate for the potential risk? Does the worst-case scenario have as big of an impact on your life as you initial thought?
- Take small steps. Conquering your fears is a life choice. It’s a decision you make on a daily basis. With that being said, starting off with small accomplishments daily is important. Initially, taking small steps outside your comfort zone can be much simpler than taking giant leaps. Confidence will grow with every situation we conquer.
- Find other Fear Fighters! You could find a better understanding for your fears by talking to other individuals who have similar fears. Reading other people’s stories can provide comfort in the process of conquering your own fears. Having a strong support group can give you that final push you need to keep fighting.
I continue to work on my own fear of the unknown.
It continues to be a daily battle, but the positive outcomes I have found in conquering this fear have been rewarding. The friends I have made, the places I have been, and the memories I have area all an outcome of the decisions I have made. Making decisions based on my goals and dreams are my new way of conquering my fear of the unknown.
“When I look back on all these worries, I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened.” Winston Churchill.
Success can be found in places you would have never considered. These places can be missed if you let fear control the decisions you make in life. Become a fear fighter and embrace this Halloween season!
By George Kudwa, a contributing blogger for JenningsWire.
