How Fear Shows Up Throughout Your Life
Fear is a mysterious emotion. You never know when it will creep up on you. Fear can be a great motivator or it can paralyze you.
Motivated by Fear
When I was younger, I was fearless. I used my fear to motivate me. I had graduated from New York University and moved back from New York City to my hometown in Houston. I was miserable in Houston. I feared I would never make it back to the Big Apple. So, I felt the fear and did it anyway. With only $400 to my name, I took a train back to New York City, found an apartment in a weekend and found a job within a week. I was not afraid to move back to New York. I was afraid of what would happen to my life if I didn’t go back to Manhattan.
Becoming Fearful
When I was in my early twenties, I traveled a lot. I backpacked across Western Europe by myself. I really was fearless. However, as I got older I traveled less and less. I became very immobile. Then when I was in my thirties I developed a fear of flying. It was awful. There is nothing worse than having a panic attack on a plane!
Working through the Fear
I had to work through my fears until I was comfortable flying again. At first I needed anti-anxiety medication to ensure that I wouldn’t have a panic attack on the plane. However, eventually, my fear lessened and I was able to fly again with no fear.
What are you afraid of?
What are you afraid of? Has your fear changed as you have gotten older? If so, how? Are you still fearless or are you fearful? Does fear keep you stuck or does it motivate you?
DISCLAIMER
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