Fear This

I had an interesting discussion with Papa Dale this week centered around fear.  His contention was that most of what we deal with in our lives is due to the fears that we have.  I agree.  Let me explain with something that most of us deal with and is a common issue across the U.S.

Let's say I want to lose weight.  I go on a plan and am successful short term and then I slip a little due to some circumstances that cause me to be "uber" busy.  And, ultimately, I have trouble getting back to eating healthy and exercising regularly.  Is it because I fear something?  At first glance, it is easy to say no, that I was just busy or lazy.  But ultimately, there is usually something deeper.  Being busy or lazy are really just excuses.  If I am lazy, it is because I am comfortable.  And if I am comfortable, it means that, even though I know there are benefits to eating healthy and exercising regularly, I am OK with staying where I am.  If I am OK with being unhealthy, and with the probability of ending my life prematurely due to my health, I believe it is because I know there is pain and discipline involved in getting back in shape and getting healthy.  The bottom line is that I fear, at some level, the pain and discipline involved to get back in the game.

Even subconsciously I can't escape my fears.  I very rarely remember my dreams.  Out of 365 nights a year, I probably remember 2 or 3 dreams the next day from the night before.  Last night was one of the nights that I remember.  And ironically, it centered around my losses from five years ago.  My dream was a blatant reminder that I can be afraid of the future at times based on some of the things of the past.  Yes, at a certain level, I am afraid to take the next big step.  My outward appearance is that of a confident man, while inwardly I occasionally deal with the "what if's" in my life.

And I think if people will be honest, almost all of us deal with fear on a certain level throughout our lives.  Fear of failure, low self-esteem is based on fear, fear of God, fear of our parents, fear of success, fear of relationships, and fear of the future are all very common.

And the only way to replace fear is through simple, pure love.