Introduction

Fear is an emotion that arises when we PERCEIVE a threat.  Neuroscience confirms that minimizing threat and maximizing reward is the underlying motivation driving human behavior.  By minimizing threat, we reduce risks and furthermore diminish our capacity to evolve and gain wisdom.  There are two types of threats: threat to life which encompasses fear of physical death and threat to ego which covers a wide variety of psychological fears including fear of losing power, control or esteem. By resisting psychological fear we stall greater rewards that are gifted from fully experiencing real life challenges. 

While knowledge is gained through information, wisdom is gained from the school of hard knocks.    

Majority of our actions are autopilot responses to perceived psychological threats.  Freedom is a choice, whereas resisting and avoidingthreat are conditioned responses.   

Failure teaches us what we cannot learn from concepts and theories.  By resisting or avoiding threats we miss out on experiential learning.   

Are you depriving yourself of resiliency by resisting or avoiding threats?

Application

Fearlessness begins by taking small risks when things go awry.  Whether we like it or not, challenges are part of life. We prolong the suffering due to our unwillingness to let go of how we relate to the challenge.  A great example of taking a risk during a challenge is the ability to let go of pre-conceived outcomes.  More likely than not, we react by taking a stance by resisting the change.  For example losing a job in this economy can bring up emotions of intense fear.  If fear becomes our focus of attention, our ability to be open to change and new possibilities diminishes. 

A great way to gauge our level of resilience is to notice how long we continue to resist or avoid when things go awry.  As for me, when I do not accept what is, I become discouraged, disheartened, complain, fight back or blame.  When I resist, I am caught up in strategies to minimize threat and in doing so, I block my mind from being open to change and new possibilities.  However, when I am willing to take the risk of letting go and accept what is, I am pleasantly surprised...  In letting go, the creative ideas begin to flow naturally and effortlessly.  In the midst of chaos I am able to reinvent myself and come up with far better solutions.  There are numerous options with the help of an open mind whereas an entangled mind can only remain fixated on a preconceived outcome.   

In being accepting, open and trusting during difficulties, we gain wisdom from the challenging experience.    

By buying into fear, we fuel our emotions with ‘what if’ stories and in that moment become our own worst enemy.   

Action

Freedom from fear is possible when we use the turbulent emotion for the purpose of strengthening our muscle of resilience. 

Next time you encounter a challenging situation, be open to seeing it in a new way by letting go of your preconceived outcomes. 

Resilience is being open and optimistic by letting go.  Following are some clues to letting go.

In the face of chaos, conflict, change and challenge:

R     Reinvent yourself, change is the only constant

E     Enable yourself by focusing on possibilities

S     Strengthen resilience muscle by facing fear 

I      Inspire yourself by following your heart

L     Learn something new

I      Ignite your inner genius by letting go

E     Explore new options

N     Never give up

C     Cultivate an open mind

E     Experience timelessness with nature, art or music

Anytime we feel the fear rise, instead of resisting or avoiding the threat, focus on the gift, a learning opportunity to discover where the conditioned and entangled mind is keeping us from flying.

We cannot choose challenges; however, we can choose to respond to difficulties in innovative ways. 

Where are you investing your time and energy, freedom or fear?
For additional examples and insights for strengthening resilience, visit our resilience journal:

http://www.rhythmofsuccess.com/index_resiliencejournal.html or

check our calendar for upcoming workshops and teleclasses:
http://www.rhythmofsuccess.com/index_ros_events.html


Have a spectacular 2010!
Neerja Arora Bhatia
Author, Coach & Inspirational Speaker