Overcome Fear By Stepping Out of the Shadows

Courage Can Overcome Fear

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The way to overcome fear is by having courage. Contrary to what most people think, courage isn’t about being fearless, it is about being willing to take a chance and make a choice, even in the face of great fear.

Having courage comes from the realization that fear is a part of our lives, and that overcoming fear does not mean getting rid of fear. To overcome fear is simply to stop our fears from ruling our lives. I cannot imagine that there are many people who haven’t missed an opportunity because they were held back by fear.

To stop fear from holding you back, you need to find the courage to decide that you will follow your heart, and start listening to your intuition rather than your fear.

By avoiding a situation because it makes you fearful, you will not eliminate the fear you have. In fact, you will allow it to intensify. By listening to the fear, and allowing it to dictate your actions, the fear gains power. Giving power to our fears is clearly not the way to overcome them!

If, instead of being put off by fear, you take the plunge- fear and all, you will find that not only does your confidence and sense of personal power increase, but the fear will lessen- even if only slightly.

Disempowering fear empowers us. The only real way to overcome fear is to ‘feel the fear and do it anyway.’ This phrase is the title of a book by one of my favorite authors, Susan Jeffers. This wonderful book offers great advice on overcoming fear by taking action.

Managing fears, big or small, can be done by gradually tackling the tasks or situations that we fear, and thereby, developing trust in ourselves that we can do it- fear and all. It is important to take baby steps, and to steadily build up courage and confidence by facing your fears in small ways at first.

If you are terrified of heights, I seriously don't think that parachuting is the best way to start overcoming your fear. Then again if you feel that taking a plunge- literally- is the right way for you, well then go for it!

When I was younger, I was afraid of heights. I eventually decided that I didn’t want to let my fear hold me back from enjoying life to the fullest. I began, little by little, to force myself to go onto higher balconies, or creep closer to the edge of lookouts.

Today I can happily say that, although I am not totally at ease with high places, I have tried hot air ballooning, and been to the top of the Eiffel Tower, and Taipei 101. I felt my fear, slowly learned to do it anyway, and these days I am a lot less scared.

Many things become less scary when we actually confront or undertake them. One of the greatest fears is of the unknown. Things that we don’t understand have far more power to scare us than the things that we are familiar with. Most people feel some level of fear about starting a new job, moving to a new area, or going on a first date.

Part of this fear comes from the fact that we cannot predict the outcome of these unknown situations. Most of us like life to be predictable, and if possible to stay the same. In the real world, though, this is rarely the case. Life is all about change, challenge, and growth. If we can accept, rather than resist this, we can embrace the situations that life brings us.

If you want to live life to the fullest, accept that fear is a part of life, just like your shadow. It will be there, whether large or small, in everything you do. If you live in the light of courage and optimism though, the shadow of fear becomes practically invisible.

The choice that you can make is whether you are going to let fear dictate your path and your decisions, or whether you are going to make your own decisions, regardless of fear. Find the courage that is within you and choose to overcome fear by living your life your way.