{"id":89,"date":"2021-08-24T22:20:33","date_gmt":"2021-08-24T22:20:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/revsaralewis.com\/?page_id=89"},"modified":"2021-08-24T22:57:50","modified_gmt":"2021-08-24T22:57:50","slug":"movement-four-facing-fear","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/revsaralewis.com\/?page_id=89","title":{"rendered":"Movement Four: Facing Fear"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Movement Four: Facing Fear<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fear is a natural emotion and helps us to survive. Think of prey animals \u2026 if they weren\u2019t afraid they would likely not live as long as more fearful and cautious animals. Being fearless is similar to being foolhardy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And yet, fear can also hold us back in ways that are not helpful to us. All life forms occasionally need to take a risk, and move through fear to try something new or challenging. We humans also need to take risks and do things that scare us, moving through fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So it\u2019s a tricky balancing act. We need to face our fears, and decide if they are grounded in wisdom or in folly. Are they justified fears, and is there anything we can do to be better prepared in case they come true? Or are they the kind of fear that is just holding us back? How can we move through that fear? Explore these questions, and more, in the exercises that follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inspiration<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFirst of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself \u2013 nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance<\/em>.\u201d \u2015 Franklin D. Roosevelt<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMove outside the tangle of fear-thinking. Live in silence<\/em>.\u201d\u2015 Rumi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less<\/em>.\u201d\u2015 Marie Curie<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear<\/em>.\u201d Nelson Mandela<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spiritual Exercises<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exercise One: Try Prayer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prayer is an ancient spiritual practice, most often associated with theistic religions. However, prayer doesn\u2019t have to be directed at a deity. Prayers can take many forms, including secular prayers. You can explore prayer more with the books Simply Pray <\/em>by Erik Walker Wikstrom and the Power of Ritual <\/em>by Casper Ter Kuile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can write your own prayer, make it up as you go, or find a prayer that you like and borrow it. A classic prayer that may be helpful is known as the Serenity Prayer. Here\u2019s an adaptation of this type of prayer you can use. Use the name of a higher power that works for you: Lord\/God\/Universe\/Spirit of Life\/Mother Earth\/Etc<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Higher Power), give me the strength to change what needs to changed,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And to face the fears I need to face.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give me the serenity to accept what cannot be changed<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the wisdom to know the difference<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try saying this prayer daily, or as needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exercise Two: Spellwork<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spellwork, from Wicca, offers us another way to address our fears and anxieties. Try this spell as you face your fear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My Most Effective Anxiety Spell to Banish Fear and Stress \u2013 Wicca Now \u2013 Everything You Need To Know About Wicca<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practical Exercises<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exercise Three: Emergency Preparedness Plan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What emergencies and disasters are most likely where you live? Are you prepared for hurricanes, earthquakes, or other natural disasters? Make a plan and get prepared. There are many useful resources at Plan Ahead for Disasters | Ready.gov<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even a simple step, such as putting a blanket or a pair of walking shoes in your car, is progress. Don\u2019t let the enormity of disaster preparedness overwhelm you! I like the approach of each time I\u2019m reminded of a danger (say an article about an accident is in the paper) I do just one thing to be better prepared to face it. A car accident? I check the batteries in the flashlight I keep in the car. A reminder of the earthquake danger here? I check the expiration dates on my emergency water supply. Each little step will add up to better preparedness in the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Community Exercises<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exercise Four: Neighborhood Network<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Knowing your neighbors makes you safer and more resilient in the face of emergencies. And yet many of us don\u2019t know our neighbors at all. You can change that by reaching out. Make up a card that lists your address and phone number, and go door to door introducing yourself. Ask your neighbors if they\u2019d like to be on a neighborhood contact list, which you are putting together. Even if only a few people opt in, you\u2019ll still be building connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the whole neighborhood seems daunting, just challenge yourself to meet one or two neighbors you don\u2019t already know or have contact information for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Fear Can Teach Us: https:\/\/youtu.be\/OwgWkUIm9Gc<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One simple trick to overcome your biggest fear: https:\/\/youtu.be\/tqCQ5iNLnI0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daring Greatly: An animated summary: https:\/\/youtu.be\/eF6V8VBUKwA<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daring Greatly <\/em>by Brene Brown<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reflection Questions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. What have you feared in the past but no longer fear? What changed?<\/li>
  2. Which of your fears have valid grounds? What can you do to face these fears and be better prepared?<\/li>
  3. Which of your fears are less likely, or even baseless? What can you do to calm these fears?<\/li>
  4. What dangers don\u2019t bother you? Is there something you have avoided thinking about or preparing for (such as an earthquake)?<\/li>
  5. Is fear holding you back or keeping you too guarded? Where would letting yourself be vulnerable move you in a positive direction? Can you let your guard down for that?<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Next: Movement Five<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Program Menu<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Movement Four: Facing Fear Fear is a natural emotion and helps us to survive. Think of prey animals \u2026 if they weren\u2019t afraid they would likely not live as long as more fearful and cautious animals. Being fearless is similar to being foolhardy. And yet, fear can also hold us back in ways that are … <\/p>\n

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