Live in the Moment by Not Choosing Fear
There are so many things that people fear: public speaking, going to the dentist, heights, snakes, bugs and spiders, small spaces, mice/rats, dogs/cats, and thunder/lightning, to name a few.
What is one thing they all have in common? Fear that something terrible or unwanted might happen in the future: making a fool out of one's self, getting hurt, getting sick, losing all earthly possessions, death, etc.
One time, I was watching a sci-fi movie with my older kids called After Earth (2013) starring Will Smith and his son, Jaden Smith. I hear the most profound quote that I've ever heard from a movie. I quote it often:
"The only place that fear can exist is in our thoughts of the future. It is a product of our imagination, causing us to fear things that do not at present and may not ever exist. That is near insanity Kitai. Do not misunderstand me, danger is very real, but fear is a choice."
In the movie, there was a dangerous "monster" that couldn't hear or see you. It can only sense your fear, and from great distances. Only when it sensed your fear would it know you are there and come after you.
I don't think I learn much from movies, but I learned something profound in that movie. I don't have to be afraid. I can choose not to care what people think when I give my next speech. I can enjoy the present instead of focusing on fear of the possibility of something terrible happening.
Live in the moment. Enjoy the here and now
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Yes that movie is After Earth which I remember Will Smith says osiaFFear siaFFear aFFear is just in our mind it doesn't exist". We even shown it with msmall group/lifegroup in church and we talk discuss and share all the good thoughts we learned and got from that movie.Amazing discussion...And it is also true the reason why we have Fear is Because We DO NOT HAVE FAITH. So, to conquer Fear is to have Faith.
Nice post
It is so true fear does hold people back, mine was public speaking in the online world live hangouts. lol
Thanks for sharing this I will keep this in mind. :)
You're welcome. I know that I do get concerned before public speaking or Zoom that I'll wish I brought something else to the table, so I often over prepare and end up not using my notes because it is so well integrated in my thoughts that I don't need them. However, if I ever choke up, I can always refer back to them.
That is a good idea to over prepare so that you know it so well yu don't even need your notes but if you do need a reminder you have note.
Definitely. I've had times where I was grateful to have those notes. They were my lifeline and they rescued me, or so to speak (while I was speaking.... LOL).
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I really enjoyed reading this post, and how you worded it! Fear has been my biggest enemy for the longest time! I'm a people pleaser, so I have a fear of conflict, and sometimes I'm too honest with people, which causes conflict...lol..I can't really win, but I'm sure trying to get over all my fears! :)
I hear you. Those are some of my issues, too. Thanks for adding your fears and challenges to the conversation.