Letting go of fear

In his 1933 inaugural speech, FDR famously said "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself."  While his words were aimed at political and socioeconomic woes, and external threats, I find those words to ring true to all fear in life.  We may be afraid to apply for another job, being comfortable in what we know.  We may be afraid to do what we love as society or our circle of people may not approve, or we fear that they may not approve.  We may fear what other people say or think about us.  We may be afraid of something really good in our lives for the silly fear that there is an ulterior motive to our own happiness.This is where Roosevelt's words really strike a chord...that fear is what we ought to fear, not anything else, not taking a chance, being vulnerable, or seeking our own happiness.  It is the fear that keeps us from thriving and becoming the person we are meant to be.  It is that very fear that acts as a speed bump (or road block, for some) in the path to our destiny.  It is the fear that squashes our courage and paralyzes us from acting.Today, I want to focus on letting go of fear.  What drives me is faith in a bigger picture. Having faith is just the opposite of being afraid.  Faith means letting go of fear.  Faith means believing that things will all work out.  Faith is trusting one's own gut, heart, and soul, to move in the direction she is meant to move in, to fulfill her destiny.On this overcast Sunday, as I sit overlooking the ocean between the moss-shrouded pine and oak trees of my parents' house, drinking my coffee and pondering life, I will make it a daily meditation to---when those fearful thoughts infiltrate my mind---own them, understand them, and respect where they come from and then, let them go.  I refuse to be afraid of the negative voice of insecurity and fear itself.  I wish the same for you.