Fear: an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain or a threat.
Fear can be looked at from different directions. Fear can be your "irrational fear" such as spiders, snakes or in my case: sharks. Fear can also run deeper because almost everyone has a fear of loss and death. Sometimes fear can run our lives. We stop ourselves from doing things or achieving things because of fear. The fear of failing, meeting new people or the risks. Some people look to face their fears and some hide behind them. Fear can sometimes be good because it is a survival mechanism that can keep us out of danger and teaches us how to stay safe. Fear can be a gut feeling that makes us choose the right choices. It's usually a good thing to follow that gut feeling because usually it isn't wrong.
However, there is a point where you are following your fear too much. When it stops you from seeing friends because it's a busy space or stops you from going after your dream career because you are afraid of failure. When fear stops you from loving yourself or loving your life, that is when you need to set a boundary. If you let fear control you, then you will always be afraid.
Franklin D. Roosevelt's quote "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself" is very important because sometimes fear can be a terrible thing. People do terrible things when they are scared. People betray loves ones or hurt other people when they are scared. Fear can turn people into monsters because some people believe that a way to stop being scared is to become the thing that's scary. When you are consumed by fear, that is when you have lost.
So the question is, how do we control our fears instead of letting our fears control us? It's not easy. If it were easy, fear would be erased already. We can let our fear keep us from danger but we can't let it keep us from living. The best thing you can do is choose a small fear and face it.
Afraid of heights? Go on a small rollercoaster or visit a lighthouse.
Afraid of crowds? See a concert or go see a local band you enjoy.
Afraid of yourself? Think of things you like about yourself and say them in the mirror.
Afraid of change? Change your hair or visit a new city or place you have never been to.
The problem with fear is, a big thing we fear is death...so, why aren't we taking advantage of the time we have?
If we are so afraid of leaving this life without a mark, why aren't we insuring that doesn't happen? You can't avoid death and you can't avoid your fears but you can live the life you were given. We can't fear death but be too afraid to live.