InSpiritry Question for the Day - May 29, 2009: Looking Fear in the Face
“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 lived through this…I can take the next thing that comes along.“
Eleanor Roosevelt
While none of us wish for fear–and many of us avoid it at all cost–it is true that we grow from experiences that make us feel afraid. In fact, that growth process is physiological. When we feel threatened, our heart revs up to pump more oxygen to our muscles for flight or flight and also to our brains where hormones surge to problem solve at lightening speed. As we respond to the situation, our memory center is also on hyperdrive, making sure we store the experience and our survival method for later. When and if “later” comes, just as Eleanor Roosevelt suggests, we can be more confident –the first step of bravery– knowing we have been through this before. Using our new strength, we “can take the next thing that comes along,” whatever it is!
What about you? Try to remember an experience that was really hard or even frightening. Think how it strengthened you!
InSpiritry Question for the Day: When has “looking fear in the face” made you stronger?
When Fear Makes Us Stronger, We Can Be a Blessing!
Join the InSpiritry Conversation about this post! Add Your Comment
Learn more about InSpiritry and Anne McCrady, subscribe to InSpiritry Emails or Contact Anne.
Also see Anne’s latest article at The InSpiritry Times online news source!
FACEBOOK ME!
