Overcoming fear

As human beings, we take a lot of things for granted especially life.  Life is unpredictable and you never know when it’s time to cross the finish line. We live as if we were to live forever; we work long hours for a life we never seem to enjoy.  We talk about being blessed yet never bring out the blessed feeling in our daily actions. We dream, make goals but spend time in useless talk and activities.  Two precious souls  lost their battle with Leukemia last month and one of them was just 33.  Their death influenced me in a much bigger way than their life ever did and almost gripped my life with fear. It was the fear of losing life before time, before I could accomplish all my dreams – especially the ones that lacked any effort so far. 

I spent days and nights in fear, I could barely sleep and one fine morning I was so scared that I had to skip work! Living in fear is a curse, the one that comes with stagnation. Fear comes when action stops and so it can easily paralyze someone. One of the key steps in overcoming fear is in recognizing that fear is not an enemy; it’s just an emotion that we need to get over. Understanding the cause of fear, letting go of our inhibitions are integral to overcoming fear.

Few years ago, I wanted to learn how to bike but I was terrified. I could balance a whole lemon on my finger better than I could balance myself on the bike. Embarrassed at my struggle, I wanted to quit but I sucked at that too! After sweating it out a few sunny afternoons, it became clear that I was not really scared of biking; I was scared of falling down and getting hurt. Excess dose of Vitamin -D rocks!So thanks to my friends with kids, I learnt how to bike on a kid bike and then gradually transitioned to an adult road bike. I wore knee and elbow pads (only few days) – the ones soccer players wear so I could minimize any bruises. It was my way of addressing my fear of getting hurt. 

That was seven years ago! Every experience transforms us in some way, so when I am gripped with fear this time, a friend promptly reminds me of the learning to bike experience.  Although my fears this time are beyond anyone’s control, the cause was perhaps a stagnant or monotonous life, one that lacks action/effort.

As Yoda says- Fear is the path to the dark side! I am sure no one wants to be on the dark side - I surely don't !