Are You Living From Fear or From Love?

Fear is a powerful emotion. It can influence the way we think, the choices we make, and even the way we see ourselves and the world around us.

Sometimes fear is obvious. We may be afraid of change, failure, rejection, or the unknown. Other times, fear can be much more subtle. It can show up as hesitation, overthinking, self-doubt, or staying in a situation simply because it feels familiar.

But there is another question worth asking:

Are you allowing fear to guide your life, or are you allowing love to guide you?

At Patti Conklin Inc., we often use the phrase:

F.E.A.R. — Forgetting Every Available Resource.

When fear takes over, it can be easy to forget the resources that are already within and around us. We may forget our own strength, wisdom, experiences, support systems, and ability to make a different choice.

Fear can make us feel as though we have no options.

Love can remind us that we do.

Fear Can Change Our Perception

When we are afraid, our perception can become focused on everything that could go wrong.

We may find ourselves asking:

• What if I fail?
• What if they don’t understand me?
• What if I make the wrong choice?
• What if things don’t work out?

These questions can keep us focused on possibilities that haven’t happened yet and can make us feel stuck before we’ve even taken the first step.

What if you asked yourself different questions?

• What resources do I already have?
• What can this experience teach me?
• What would I choose if I trusted myself?
• What possibilities exist beyond what I can see right now?

Sometimes, changing the question can change the way we experience the situation.

Choosing Love Doesn’t Mean Ignoring Fear

Living from love doesn’t mean fear will disappear.

Fear is part of being human. We will all experience uncertainty, doubt, and moments when we don’t know what comes next. The goal isn’t necessarily to never feel afraid. Instead, it’s learning to recognize fear without automatically allowing it to make our decisions for us.

You can acknowledge your fear and still move forward.

You can feel uncertain and still trust yourself.

You can be uncomfortable and still choose growth.

You can honor what you’re feeling without allowing that feeling to define what is possible.

Love creates space for choice.

What Would You Choose Without Fear?

Take a moment today to think about an area of your life where fear may be taking the lead.

Maybe it’s a relationship. Maybe it’s a change you’ve been considering. Maybe it’s something you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t allowed yourself to pursue.

Ask yourself:

If fear wasn’t making the decision, what would I choose?

You may not have an immediate answer, and that’s okay.

Awareness is a beginning.

You don’t have to have everything figured out today. You simply have to become willing to notice when fear is speaking and remember that you have other resources available to you.

Your strength.
Your wisdom.
Your experiences.
Your support.
Your ability to choose.

Fear may be part of your story, but it doesn’t have to write the whole story.

Don’t allow fear to overcome your love.

Sometimes, the first step toward change isn’t knowing exactly what to do next. It’s simply remembering that you have a choice.