Overcoming Fear in the Face of Terror

Today, more than ever, we need to learn how to handle fear. We are definitely a frightened people and our fear seems to be increasing every day. If we don't learn how to confront and control fear, we risk losing our emotional and physical health and ultimately the joy of living.

A life of fear brings with it anxiety, stress, frustration and anger which inevitably results in a loss of joy and hope. Prior to September 11th we lived in fear of many things- getting old, losing our hair, heights, water, mice, speaking in public etc. All this seems rather trivial in light of the terror of September 11th. Now we seem to be engulfed by a fear which is depressing and brings many to the brink of despair. We MUST do something about it.

I REFUSE TO LIVE ENGULFED BY FEAR AND I WANT YOU TO DO LIKEWISE!

In my talks and seminars throughout North America I tell people that, while they have no control over the events of life, they have total control over their response to these events. This is where we begin to wage our battle with fear.

Here are a few suggestions I have found helpful in my fight with fear. Reflect on them, select those you find appropriate and prepare your own battle plan. YOU ARE IN CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE.
* Say this many times throughout your day. " 95 percent of what I fear will never happen and the five percent that does happen will never be as bad as I envision." nn* Picture yourself living fully and happily in the midst of turmoil. We do tend to live out of our vision.
* Take all reasonable precautions and then get on with the business of living well.
* Say to yourself, " I REFUSE TO BE RULED BY FEAR." nn* Make humour and laughter a huge part of your daily life no matter what circumstances you are in. Laughter is good therapy and a very pleasant diversion..
* Search your Holy Book for inspiration and hope.
* Think thoughts of peace, not thoughts of affliction.
* Lose yourself in action or you will wither in despair.
*Remember, we might be forced to live with the shadow of fear, but no one can force us to live in its shadow.
* Never stop believing in the supremacy of goodness over evil.

I would like to close with these words from Eleanor Roosevelt...

" You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, " I've lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along." You must do the thing you think you cannot do."

Live in peace,
Live in joy,
Live in love
Live in hope
And you can conquer any adversity. Mike Moore

When life seems too much, reach for a lifeline. M.M. nnnnnn