FEAR VS DANGER
Fear by definition is an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain or a threat.
Fear panders to emotions. Fear is infinite. And because so fear can become irrational.
Fear snowballs
Spiders. How FREAKED out can you get just thinking about them? Woof. Just the other day I went to get my rollerblades out for a quick ride. And guess what I didn’t do? Rollerblade. Why? Bc right as I reached for them I felt a freaking spider web. And within seconds convinced me that the creator of that web was a black widow who made a cozy home in the depths of the boot. I gave it a good shake and nothing. I convinced myself it was even bigger than I was expecting. And just like that, I WAS OUT. Can you see how my thoughts let it snowball?
How about walking into your bathroom to take a shower and seeing the curtain closed? We all know the feeling and how quickly it can lead to a rabbit hole of terrifying thoughts.
I know EVERY girl will relate to going downstairs to get something and the second you head back upstairs 💥 fear hits and you’re running faster than ever bc you’ve convinced yourself someone is behind you. Doesn’t stop there! Before you get to the top of the stairs you’ve already thought of the worst-case scenario(s). Can you see how quickly that snowballed too?
In each example, fear is unpleasant and quickly becomes irrational. Irrational fear causes unnecessary added pain. BUT it doesn’t have to. YOU can stop its irrational control by controlling it first.
FEAR is unpleasant, but it’s NOT BAD.
In fact, fear is one of life’s best safety devices! Why? Because it gives us a heads up to physical and emotional dangers as NOTHING else can.
DANGER:
Danger by definition is the possibility of suffering from harm or injury.
Danger doesn’t pander to emotions. Danger is finite. Danger is rational.
Don’t avoid uncomfortable conversations or being proactive about defense and safety because of fear. Instead recognize it for what it is, what dangers it is warning you of, and then take control!
When we let fear educate us it empowers us.
WE can live WITH fear without living IN it,
Bre
