Thread by @RealNaijaGuy

Let's talk about fear!

Fear is one emotion that has buried many dreams. It has kept a lot of people on the mountain of analysis where all they do is wish, instead of act.

You have heard it many times that you should fight the enemy called fear,

But is fear really an enemy?

Let's observe an analogy.

Imagine you placed your finger over a burning. What would you do immediately your fingers touch the flames?

You'll immediately withdraw your fingers because the fire would cause you severe pain, right?

But imagine that you felt no pain when you put

your finger in the flame.

You'll simply watch your finger burn and you'll be amazed, but your finger will get consumed.

Imagine if this was happening while you were sleeping: fire burning your fingers but because you felt no pain, you didn't wake up to do anything about it

And when you did wake up, you saw your entire arm consumed.

What is the point?

It is the feeling of pain that tells you what isn't good for you or your skin.

In essence, emotions are not bad, even emotions of pain, anger etc.

They are there as sign posts to tell you what

isn't good for you and what you should walk away from.

So if you are in a relationship where you are constantly angry, unhappy or unfulfilled, those emotions are simply sign posts telling you that you need to correct your situation.

So the point: emotions are not bad!

Now let's go back to fear.

Is fear bad?

As an emotion? No.

Fear is simply a sign post.

Having an understanding of this will greatly help you in your journey to achieving your goals.

Fear is a sign posts that tells us or reveals 2 things:

1. Fear is a sign that lets us know that our minds have been programmed to associate negative consequences with taking risks.

Why are you afraid of starting that business?

You are afraid you will fail?

Or that people would mock you?

Who told you you would fail?

You haven't already failed, but your mind has already associated negative outcomes to the risk.

Consequently, you are not being objective, but reactive.

2. Fear is simply a sign that you are trying to attempt something you haven't done before.

There are no neural connections

in your brain that can relate to what you are trying to do, so fear naturally comes up as a pointer to inform you that the brain does not recognize this new phase.

An example is the first time you tried driving a car.

I bet you almost had you heart come up to your mouth

And even if you were among the few who did not morbidly fret, you definitely didn't find it seamless controlling the car.

But several years after that first time, you are now an expert.

You can jump into right about any car and act James Bond.

The point? By practice, the brain

through a process of neurogenesis, has established neural connections that are strong.

So when you sit behind the wheel, the brain simply calls on those connections and fear doesn't show up to warn you.

If you understand this concept, you can effectively manage your emotions

and use them as vehicles to living your life to its full measure.

The point again?

Emotions (even seemingly negative) are not bad. They simply serve as signposts.

It I your interpretation of them that determines whether they are bad or good to you.