Fear.......a Four letter word

symbols to help release fear............

 

Cyclist’s Ramblings………..a four letter word that begins with ‘f’” causing the mind, body and spirit to freeze……….fear.  Other words that denote fear……..to be terrified, anxious, distressed,  to be frightened, panic, to be afraid, dread and to be scared.  We have all experienced fear.  Have you ever noticed that people very rarely every share the happy stories.  The stories told at baby showers are usually the difficult and fear laden delivery stories….what went wrong.  Same with accidents, it is the grouse details that are shared.  Fear comes in the form of rejection as well as fear of failure or not measuring up or letting the mind slip into ‘what could happen’ stories. Imagination fuels the fear and the more we imagine the instinct; the higher the mountain of fear.  Sometimes, I think of what could happen as I cycle alone.

I remember my dad and me baking a cake and fearing that it wouldn’t turn out.  I shared my fears with my dad and his reply was “if it doesn’t turn out, we will bake another cake.”  I had forgotten those words until the word rejection has popped into my life causing me to stop creating.

 I have wondered how to overcome this hill or mountain of fear.  Below are some ways of centering:

 Mountain pose, a wonderful yoga pose, that will calm the mind instantly.  Stop when fear ignites.  Stand in mountain pose, sway forward with the body thinking of the fear---breath the fear in with an inhale, then sway backwards with the body releasing the fear with an exhale.  Then just breathe.

Taking the letter f and using this as a staff to lean on.  I have been reading Psalm 23 “You are forever with me, your rod and staff will guide me.”  A staff symbolizes a walking stick for me which I use in the woods and sometimes that is where my imagination ignites the fear of unknown, lurking in the woods.  Leaning on the walking stick switches my brain vibrations to calm, instead of panic.

When you have time, grab a pencil and paper; draw a table with plates.  On each plate write what you fear.  View each word & think of the positive outcome from a fear-filled situation.  Draw another shape then write the positive word or experience inside the shape.  I did this and was amazed at the how the positives outnumbered the fears.  It only takes a few moments.

 Share your fears.  Hearing you repeat your fears to another person can assist in untying the knots of fear.

 Move.  Go for a walk, cycle, garden, ski …………just move releasing that fear-filled energy. 

Find a symbol that will give you courage to face your fears.  Something solid to touch such as a cross – faith in the Divine, a pebble – for courage to get through the hard spots, walking stick – to lean on, penny – good luck, seed – symbolizing growth from fear, a word on a piece of paper – a positive to balance the negative, and miniature bird – flying free are a few suggestions.

What symbol would remind you to be not afraid?