How many times have you not done something you wanted to just because you were afraid? Fear has, most likely, stopped you at some point in your life but it’s important to know the purpose of fear and to know how tight of a grasp fear may have on you. Often times, fear stops you from many things it doesn’t need to. Knowing how to use fear to your advantage will help you in so many ways.
Fear exists for a very important reason. However, this does not mean you should try to stomp it out entirely. You can live a much more fulfilling life by properly managing it. If you have a healthy grasp on fear and let it work as intended, GREAT WORK!
If you’re struggling with fear, you’re not alone. I am affected by unrealistic fears, as well. It can steal happiness or be immobilizing. It can keep you from having those extra rewarding moments in life but it doesn’t have to once you learn how to manage it.
This book is an encouragement to face fear head on and find that creative “jewel” inside. I found this concept of creative living beyond fear fascinating when listening to a podcast of Elizabeth Gilbert interviewing Marie Forleo. Both of these women are fascinatingly insightful ladies – I could sit and listen to them all day. Anyways, Elizabeth Gilbert was explaining a concept she talks about in her book: Big Magic- Creative Living Beyond Fear
How do you move beyond fear? Where do you even start? It feels like fear sneakily creeps its way into my life and I don’t even know it! So many times in my own life I have let fear hold me back in my health journey, too.
For example, if I have a busy day: I might feel extra anxiety to not miss breakfast because there may not be any food around at lunchtime (We live in America – like that is going to happen right ?!). 😀 Another “unrealistic” fear I let seep into my health journey – I better change my plan to start eating better today and put it off until tomorrow – because today we are going to go out to eat and I don’t want to fail the 1st day. Or how about this one – do you ever do this? I better not get up and exercise early today because then I’ll be too tired this evening and I have a big day ahead of me… I’m sure these things never happen to you, though… 😄
😨 Wow! Really?! This podcast really spoke to me on so many levels so I’d like to pass on what I got out of this one excerpt of her book:
I saw a quote similar to this recently and it really spoke to me. Immense amounts of stress can be relieved when we let go of things we cannot change.
Hello My Friend,
It’s Nurse Mary again, hope everything is going well in your health journey!
As you are probably aware, there are so many crazy things that are going on in our world today. We can protect our family and live a simple, safe, lifestyle but beyond that, we need to expect that others are doing their part and let the rest go.
That was a big stress reliever for me. Have you felt stressed by things going on around you? Even the weather can stress us some times but is it really worth stressing about? We can’t really do anything about it except maybe leaving home with a raincoat that morning…
So my message to you today is this: If there is something you are worrying about, evaluate it. Ask yourself: can you change it? Can you do anything about it? If your answer is NO, then leave it to God and move on with your day.
I know this is short and sweet but I hope it was helpful in your day.
‘⛄ Let It Go’ was the song and mantra for the movie ‘Frozen’ – and my granddaughter could sing every word of it!!! There’s something to be said for the feeling.
My children have taught me a lot about “Let it go”. For every decision, there are consequences – good, hopefully, but there are bad ones, too.
Sometimes, when you see someone, especially your child, making a bad decision you still have to let them do it. As a parent to say it’s difficult is an understatement! There’s a time to step in and a time to let them make their own choices and experience the consequences.
It’s easy to rejoice for a good decision – but heartbreaking to watch a bad decision unfold – wishing you were wrong about the outcome.
One thing is for sure:
Don’t allow it (unnecessary stress) for yourself – ‘Let It Go’. Keep believing in yourself and do the hard work to care for yourself.
At that point – Mary is right – be the encouraging person in other peoples’ lives. You never know what seed you plant which may take root in another person’s mind and heart 💝.
I appreciate Skeebo’s kind words and hope you have found encouragement from them as well.
Many of you have replied to me with your own personal stories and I appreciate you so much.
I look forward to hearing from you, Until next time – Be Well !
Mary Howard RN
Some of us wake up drained
Some of us wake up re-charged.
Dopamine – Functions include: Pleasure, Fine Motor Skills and Preservation of our body.
Oxytocin – Known as the maternal hormone, but also arises when we have physical contact with another human.
Serotonin – A mood regulator related to happiness. Lowered levels are noted in people with depression.
Endorphins – Reduces pain, boosts pleasure and overall gives us a feeling of wellbeing.
Cortisol – This chemical controls your fight or flight and can leave you feeling fearful and drained if not managed. It also manages blood sugar, metabolism & inflammation.
We need to learn how to trigger these different hormones because they charge up our batteries to enhance our creativity and critical thinking.
Being able to do this sets us up to develop skills.
Sometimes we try to force skills training when we are really starved to meet Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs.
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