Fear Factor

It’s not what you are thinking.

I went to this interesting documentary, Voices of Fear a few weeks ago and it got me thinking.

What am I afraid of?

Voices of Fear

The documentary is about extreme athletes’ relationship with fear, and it is about Kristen Ulmer. Kristen was the first female, big mountain, extreme skier. She wrote a book about fear and has built a business helping people deal with fear, but not in the way you might think.

After all her years as an extreme skier, Kristen has changed her relationship with fear and she believes you could benefit from a shift too.

Kristen suggests that we collectively stop hiding from fear, avoiding it, trying to conquer it. Just stop and recognize when you are feeling afraid and acknowledge it.

What are you afraid of?

And maybe, more importantly, how is it holding you back?

I talk to people every day who are afraid to change because… well the list is really endless. Do you recognize any of these?

But, my friends won’t like it.

I’m just too busy right now.

It is so hard to fit it in.

Well, I would, but my kids expect me to …

Most of our excuses come from fear of change, fear of being rejected, fear of failing, fear of feeling like a failure, being afraid that it won’t matter. I could go on, but you get the picture.

So what are you afraid of? And what would you do if you weren’t afraid?

Fear can be good.

It keeps us alive by giving us that jolt of adrenaline when we see danger. Fear can also be dangerous, when we try to deny the danger. It can lead to either thrill-seeking or avoiding feelings of fear.

The problem comes and is re-inforced by a self-help industry that wants us to conquer fear, live without it, be free of fear.

This leads to unintended consequences. Avoiding fear means avoiding change because change is scary.

How will this turn out?

Will I be a total failure?

Will I have any friends?

What if I don’t like it?

But change is also invigorating. It helps us grow and develop. It keeps us interesting and interested.

What am I afraid of?

Well, lots of things in varying degrees. Some, but certainly not a complete list includes, bears (a legitimate fear), cougars, (more than bears), falling off a mountain, rejection, loneliness, being perceived as a failure (much worse than actual failure), being hit by a car while riding my bike, wasting time, not be able to do everything I want to do, lightning.

There is one other fear that drives me when it comes to my health and fitness, but I am going to save that one for later until then I want to know,

What are you afraid of?

Change your mind, change your health,

Shayla