Fear is a mechanism designed to keep us safe, but, in excess, it becomes a source of danger. “Fear is not the enemy,” said our minister. Bingo, I thought.
The Problem
When we fight fear we intensify it, and fear becomes a road block against rational thought. It elevates destructive strategies – hiding away, or going on the attack, or justifying unreasonable risks. Fear is not the enemy. It is simply an alarm system.
Fear run amok leads to false ideas about how to protect yourself: hide, buy a gun, run away, don’t trust anyone! In our current national chaos, fear says, “Follow the news down every rabbit hole. No! Shut off the news completely! Do it! Don’t do it! . . .” Pretty soon a person is immobilized. A tsunami of possible misfortunes has taken over.
Rename the Problem
The human mind is a symphony where fear plays its part in coordination with other parts. When all are in harmony, a note from fear cues a lifetime’s knowledge of what to do and when, so that rational ideas prevail.
It is our fear of fear that leads to calling it an enemy. By declaring war, it hijacks the orchestra. Instead, we need to ease down the volume.
What to Do
First, recognize fear as a transient feeling. Observe your body expressing it. Increased heart rate? Stomach tension? Certain facial muscles involved? Headache? These are normal. The body is saying, pay attention.
Then look to another part of the mind I’ll call Wisdom. This is the symphony conductor. Wisdom knows there is a great deal of life experience represented in other parts of the mind’s orchestra. Wisdom, your own variety of wisdom, can call on rational thoughts about level of risk, problems you have encountered and solved in the past, and what matters most. Wisdom basically says, “Thanks for the alarm. Now we will move on to see who else can manage things from here.”
Now Believe
Believe in your own life’s Wisdom and lean on it. Once you ease off the fear of fear, you free up space for rational thoughts. That’s what leads to creative problem solving.
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