Fear and no fear

Dear Friends,
We live in a time of fear. While that can be said for most times, it seems as if these days, fear is used to motivate us more often than any other motivational tool.

For example, you will look old if you don't buy the right kind of creme for your face. You won't be safe unless you buy a certain kind of car. Unless Congress does exactly this - no room for creativity - we will fall into an abyss as a country.
Make sure you wear the right clothes, or you will look out of date.

Each of these examples requires us to be motivated by fear. When we are motivated by fear, we are buying into the thoughts we have about what is good and what is bad. These are only thoughts. Thoughts have power, of course - the power to make us feel good or bad, happy or sad. And - thoughts can be changed.

When you are surrounded by fear, acknowledge the fear, but don't succomb to it. Listen to it, take it in, and give it a good look. Examine your thoughts. If you are thinking something like: "Oh - no! - this is really bad!" Change your thoughts. Keep your options open. Tell yourself that you can wait until more information surfaces, or you can gather more information. Don't make decisions when you are feeling afraid.

There is a larger part of yourself that is not afraid, regardless of what is happening. Do you know that part of yourself?

Warmly,
meb