Living With Fear

I will continue with my views and advice on rejection shortly, but with all the news lately, I thought I'd say something about living with the fear that this world can generate.  Every day we are bombarded with the catastrophic consequences of issues and events beyond our control. Over and over again we are beaten to near mental pulp about the collapse of our economy, the catastrophic consequences of our nation's failure to control itself and the resulting effects this will have on our own  individual lives. We are forwarned about the demise of the human species as a result of over-population or climate change, and we feel helpless and hopeless.
  In addition to all these world-wide cataclysmic events, we must deal with the potential personal disasters we might have to face such as impending disruptions in our relationships with others, our own bills and debts, and the consequence of ill health and inevitable aging.
  In this onslaught of input, we become overwhelmed, distressed and, ultimately, afraid. But fear is not an inevitable consequence of all of this. It is a choice we make, usually in a habitual and mindless response to perceived threats. But as we gain experience and wisdom, we ultimately see that, indeed, the sun will rise  tomorrow, we will, somehow, manage to make it through the day and, yes, on some of those days, bad things will happen. That's life. Life is change. Situations are always evolving but always impermenent.
  The measure of self, is not fearing that bad things will happen, but making it part of your daily life to mentally prepare yourself for life's defeats. And when they happen, and they will happen, it is understanding that some of life's setbacks are of our own doing and can be simply avoided, but many are not - they just happen. Acepting this and having realistic expectations and achievable goals wiill empower you.
  Fear is a perception of your own internal making. It is not a real or tangible thing. Everything you feel and how you react is a product of your own mind and is, thereby, a choice. Take time out every day to turn off the TV, the internet or your smart phone for a few minutes and to live in and embrace the moment and you will find that every day is filled with some joy and some love and, yes, some setbacks or loss. But only you can allow fear to control you and its your choice to choose to suffer through the day or emenate happiness and love and compassion.