Fearlessness is not only possible, it is the ultimate joy. When you touch nonfear, you are free.
Fearlessness is not only possible, it is the ultimate joy. When you touch nonfear, you are free.
Thich Nhat Hanh
Is it possible to eliminate fear?
Countless sages have addressed this in one form or another:
Those who lack the courage will always find a philosophy to justify it.
Albert Camus
It requires more courage to suffer than to die.
Napoleon Bonaparte
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely.
Buddha
True courage is being afraid, and going ahead and doing your job anyhow, that’s what courage is.
Norman Schwarzkopf
Bravery is being the only one who knows you’re afraid.
Franklin P. Jones
It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.
J. K. Rowling
Courage is fear holding on a minute longer.
George S. Patton
It is very normal to be afraid. Fear consumes us in countless ways. On countless topics. When you take a large step backward, it is almost a miracle that we can live any day without being in fear of numerous things.
But the reality is, that at a certain point, we are so much more liberated when we are able to compartmentalize the fear and replace it with courage, bravado, determination, passion, focus, vision, and fortitude. These qualities, paired with a measure of optimism, are our greatest mental allies, for with these in place, our ability to transcend the unknown, and the known, into new territory becomes assured.
Fear comes from social pressure, internal pressure, parental pressure, peer pressure, reality of pain and disease, world events, and even finding the courage to speak to someone you are intensely attracted to.
Fear waits for us in the shadows, nagging us with constant reminders of what could happen. Roosevelt most adeptly pointed that out. And his antidote, was bravery and courage. If they sound blasé and uninspiring, wait till the next time you need them personally, and how quickly are you reminded of how vital they truly are to your existence. When bravery and courage are the only things that will save you from an imminent demise, these personal qualities suddenly become your very best friend.
As oppressors large and small emerge from the darkness with intent of impeding our respective paths, we must remember that the road to destruction is paved with countless responses from others that are telling us we are overreacting. Perhaps that might be so. Or perhaps we see or sense something that the others are just not seeing, yet.
If, as Thich shares above, is possible… the ability to touch nonfear, then you will certainly be liberated from a host of the variables that are holding you back.
Happy Sunday!
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