The year 2016 for me is all about living in purpose. Part of living in purpose also requires letting go of baggage. One of the many baggages that seems so prevalent in people’s lives is that ugly thing called FEAR. I once read an article where someone cleverly described fear in an acronym. (F.E.A.R.) False Evidence Appearing Real. Boy-oh-boy there’s so much truth to that! Fear is such a nuisance. I hate fear if you haven’t noticed by now; and I’m not talking about the fight or flight type of fear that activates adrenaline or the type of fear you experience during momentous events like the birth of a child or getting married. I’m talking about the type of fear that keeps you paralyzed, stuck, and frozen. It’s a type of fear that can keep one in the same place for years upon years. A fear that is debilitating in your life. Yep, it’s the type of fear that has you constantly looking over your shoulders. That my friend is what you call a crippling effect!
Often times fear is a result of a something drastic that may have happened to you. To some degree there’s really no control over what or how life happens. Nonetheless, how we deal with the unexpected plights of life is completely in our control. Unfortunately, we’ve been convinced or subconsciously believe that this crippling type of fear is normal, so much so there’s even a market for it (…and that’s a whole different discussion in itself). Understandably, we’ve all had our own dose of fear in one way or another and have had to face it head on. Hear me when I say, paralyzing fear isn’t normal and should be addressed.
We DO NOT have a spirit of fear, but rather we have a spirit of boldness and power! How do we deal with this fear? Well, first thing to do is pray & meditate. Prayer and meditation allows you to ease your mind and let go. This helps with training your mind to filter out what’s reality and what’s not. Remember, these are false evidences appearing to be real. Secondly, realizing why there’s a fear to begin with. Target the root of it. In most cases you’ll find that the cause of the fear was something highly magnified in your mind in the first place. Thirdly, find your village/support system. These are the people you feel are important to you and can be honest about your perceptions and perspectives. Be open and truthful about your fears. Believe me, it is so effective to overcoming it. Lastly, take it one day at a time. Allow yourself to be free and let go of the fear.
I was once acquainted with fear. We had a love hate relationship. I hated fear because of how it paralyzed me, yet I held on to it because it seemed like a safe haven. Kind of like a place of comfort. I went through life experiencing many traumatic events that fed the fear even further. For years I carried it as if it was a priceless piece of jewelry, until someone close to me was real. That person told me I needed to get out of this place of being paralyzed. The fear I carried around wasn’t of God. I decided one day that I had enough and I was forced to deal with FEAR head on! Since then, my life is much more productive and peaceful. Don’t get me wrong from time to time, fear comes knocking at my door. However, I NEVER EVER LET IT IN!
When will enough be enough…Are you constantly looking over your shoulders? Stop looking. Are you always running? Stop running. Are you afraid of taking that step? Start walking. Are your worries controlling you? Rest your mind. Are you afraid of moving? MOVE. As my dear friend Keita Joy of KeitaJoy LLC would say…“Kick Fear Down With Faith And Walk In Your Purpose!”
Please kick fear down once and for all!
PHOTOGRAPHER: Marc B.
OUTFITS DETAILS:
Black Faux Fur Coat by: Zara
Black Knitted Sweater: H&M
Outer Leggings : Buffalo Exchange Consignment
(I’m wearing 3 leggings by-the-way…it was very cold outside today)
Neon Pointed Toe Flats by: Sophia Webster
ACCESSORIES:
Beenie: Macy’s
Floral Chunky Necklace: Forever 21
Clutch: Asos
