Now, just to set the record straight, I don’t know the meaning of the word “fear.”
However, I’m extremely well-acquainted with the words “terrified”, “frightened” and “brk brk brk brk brkkkkk” (sound that chickens make). 🙂
Such was the case this morning as I went in for a very simple procedure to remove a growth just above my eye.
Although I did once hear that the definition of a “simple procedure” is a procedure that is done…to someone else. 🙂
As I was lying down waiting for the doctor for what seemed a very long time, I suddenly became conscious of the fact that I really was scared. I was scared of what might happen, the pain that might be involved, a mistake the doctor might make, etc.
Yes, I became conscious of it – and consciousness is always a good thing – and because I was now conscious of it, one would think that the fear would then dissipate. But it didn’t.
None of that fear (and yes, it was indeed fear, first sentence of this article notwithstanding) was helpful. It did not solve anything. It did not make the procedure any more or any less dangerous, any more or any less painful. And, it did not hurt nor did it improve the doctor’s skill (he did a great job).
Interesting how we can logically know all this, and truly know that the fear, in a case such as this, serves no positive purpose, and remain scared anyway.
I suddenly remembered a story from the classic, Handbook to Higher Consciousness by Ken Keyes, Jr. He tells the story of a man who was hanging onto the edge of a cliff knowing he was about to fall to his death. Suddenly he saw a delicious-looking strawberry and grabbed it with his free hand. Although he knew that in just minutes he’d be on a deadly fall, he still managed to free his mind and, in total peace and enjoyment, eat the strawberry.
Higher Consciousness? I’m not there yet. Are you? I’d love to know your thoughts.
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Great reminder, Bob. Thank you. I think many of us go through our days with many worries and fears – – and sometimes that intense fear you discussed in this article. If we could only remember to keep reaching for those strawberries in spite of our worrisome situations life would truly be a more joyous ride.
Julie Bartkus
In the past two weeks, I’ve faced several large fears in my personal life that have stood in the way of my business. While I’m grateful for the support I needed, I realize the main thing leading to my fears was my own resistance. In acknowledging the fears, facing them, and choosing to put that behind me I’m now free to jump over the next hurdle. It’s somehow getting easier to move forward and jump over each fear.
And – I hope your eye is okay.
Thanks for the reminder, Bob. I’ve gotta go in for cataract surgery and I find myself avoiding making the appointment. It’s amazing how old conditioning trumps higher consciousness if we let it. Maybe I should just eat the strawberry first!
Hi Bob –
Often the fear is greater than the actual event. Keep reaching for sweet strawberries (or DD coffee)
Thank you for your kind comments, everyone. Hey Wes, I know the feeling, my friend. But you’ll get it done.
I remember a different cliff story. A man was hanging on a cliff and yelling for help. A voice from above (God), said “let go.” The man thought for a while and yelled, “is there anyone else up there.” Now the man on the cliff couldn’t see what was below him. But one could assume the man from above could. When we fear we need to let go of the fear and trust one another and put our faith in God.
sad, but my fear nothing to do with business and maybe then everything to do with it…i live on a disability and if i make too much $$ i will lose the guarantee..then if the business or I fail..i will have nothing and maybe lose everything…where is that strawberry? i need to reach for it!
Hi Bob!!
Great post! Fear…the flight or fight instinct. Once you are in the fear mode, it’s difficult, to say the least, to remove yourself and “be in the moment.” It becomes that HUGE snowball heading down the mountain picking up steam…once our minds get rolling…and rolling and rolling in fear, pretty soon we are in panic attack mode. 🙂 Deep breath needed here. Re-focus, if able, acknowledge that we are fearful…”What’s the worst that could happen?? Trust comes to mind for me. Trusting that whatever the outcome, I’m going to be OK. Can I do this every time??? NOT yet! I’m a work in progress. In the past 4 years,though, I have walked through many BIG time fears and here I am smiling and posting on your blog about FEAR. (who knew?)
I thank you for the opportunity to respond. Love the topic. Hoping that your simple procedure is not causing too much PAIN.
Bob,
That is an interesting post. I have not read Keyes, but my take is…
The antidote to fear is faith. The larger the object of your faith, the larger the fear you may quench. But you do not need to dispel fear to act despite it. That act in the face of fear is courage, yes?
But it is not courage that lets you eat a strawberry on the cliff.
If you are ready to die with full faith that only better awaits, why not enjoy a strawberry?
I am glad you had success.
Keith
Hi Bob,
I’m glad you are okay! No need to respond to my other email asking how your procedure went, today, okay? :-)…
I looked around and found the information I needed to know that you are alive and well! Thank goodness!
Pamela
Bob, I hope that all results were positive from your medical appointment.
I am a huge advocate of ‘feel the fear and do it anyway‘ because feeling the fear is a way to understand it. I believe that most fears are real and need to be respected–not squashed/diminished. It is an emotion–a thought process–just like any other. It is not greater or less valid than joy or happiness. I do not believe that fear should just be let go (many of us do not know how to ‘let go” of fear anyway–it sounds like a simple process but it is not). Fear has roots–there may be a good a reason for it (we formed a belief or had an experience and a fear was born). Getting to the root of that can lead a person right up to the doorstep of self-understanding and growth.
Great article Bob. If we could just all remember what fear really is: False Evidence Appearing Real, then for once we could live our lives authentically, the way God meant for us to.
If you think about all the decisions you have made in your life based upon fear, then you ask yourself, what would my life look like now had I made those same decisions based on truth…, well, lets just say for me, my life would look completely different. I’m happy that I finally learned that lesson while fighting breast cancer twice.
When you can walk yourself through the fear to the otherside and see it for what it really is – illusion, then and only then, can you live to your life’s full potential.
Thank you, my friend, for the reminder.
Great points Bob,
In my experience fear would start to dissipate when we know more about something,when we learn more about whatever we are afraid of and sure thing we need to enjoy the strawberries…life is to short to live without strawberries…
Lorena Heletea
Thank you, again everyone, for all your kind and wisdom-filled thoughts. You are an amazing group of people. Please know how much I appreciate you!!
Bob