Rational Fear and Phobias

Fear is a normal part of life.  Sometimes fear makes us aware of dangerous situations and this allows us to be cautious in order to protect ourselves.  If you’ve heard of a string of burglaries in your neighborhood then you will make sure all the doors and windows are locked before leaving your house because you fear your house may be next.  This is a healthy, rational fear.  You don’t let the fear stop you from going about your normal routine.  You’re just more cautious and aware.  If you react to the burglaries by locking yourself in your house, peeking out the window and jumping every time you hear a noise then the fear has become irrational and is controlling your life.  That’s the difference between a rational fear and a phobia.

You will never know what you’re capable of if you let fear control your life.  Here are a few quotes to inspire you to put fear in its place.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”    ~Marianne Williamson, Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles"

“There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance. We need to learn to love ourselves first, in all our glory and our imperfections. If we cannot love ourselves, we cannot fully open to our ability to love others or our potential to create. Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people who embrace life.”    ~John Lennon                

“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”  ~Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”   ~Frank Herbert, Dune                                                                      

“The moment we begin to fear the opinions of others and hesitate to tell the truth that is in us, and from motives of policy are silent when we should speak, the divine floods of light and life no longer flow into our souls.”   ~Elizabeth Cady Stanton                                                                    

 “Is it useful to feel fear, because it prepares you for nasty events, or is it useless, because nasty events will occur whether you are frightened or not?”  ~Lemony Snicket                           

 “The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.”   ~Joseph Campbell