Facing Fear

What is your reaction when you are facing fear?

Do you recognize fear as fear when you are experiencing it?

We are living in a time that we've never experienced. The lack of experience to fall back on is unnerving at best.

Yet here we are...navigating...blindly.

Let's bring some awareness into the picture so there's a foundation on which to stand.

Physical and financial health are big priorities right now. Rightfully so.

But what about mental and emotional health? Are you paying attention to those as much? Or even at all?

It's worth it to 'take your temperature' on how you're doing emotionally and mentally. As a collective whole, we don't tend to acknowledge either of those aspects nearly enough, if at all. Do you know how to check-in emotionally or mentally?

Try it. Right now. Take a breath and ask yourself how you're feeling. To help you, narrow it down to these choices:
Sad
Mad
Glad
Hurt
Ashamed
Afraid
If your mind jumped in with judgment, notice that, too. It's giving you an answer.

What did you learn?

This pandemic has brought fear into the forefront. It's necessary to look at your response to it.

How do you respond when you are feeling afraid?

Do you lash out at others?

Do you pull away and retreat?

Do you hoard things and become selfish?

Do you brush it away and pretend it doesn't exist?

Do you judge others for how they respond to fear?

Do you judge yourself and shame yourself for feeling afraid?

Do you numb it through other behaviors (shopping, busyness, gaming, drinking, etc.)?

Do you allow yourself to cry?

Do you talk about it?

Do you acknowledge it and lean in, opening to what is behind the fear?

The vulnerability of understanding your response to fear makes it that much easier to walk with others and support them, too.

Yes, we are stronger together.

But we are even stronger when we can name how we feel, be present with it, and use it as a foundation to interact with others.

Consider this as your invitation to bring your emotional and mental health into your awareness. It's necessary.

In light, love, and peace.