Conquer Fears

This morning I was awaken by a woman.

She was rattling on, "Someone is parked in the driveway! I've never seen the car before."

I was very tired. Why, it was 6 am and I had gone to bed late.

As such, I was in a tough mood. Without any weapons in hand, I thundered out the door. Half way there I noticed a vehicle. The windows were very tinted so I hurried back in the house for a flashlight.

As I approached the vehicle I was amazed at my bravado. I hadn't entertained the risk factor. Another emotion was firmly in control: Anger at being woken and the sense that my property had been violated.

It was pitch black and I could barely make out the car.

I yelled out, "What in the --- are you doing in my DRIVEWAY! You damn well woke me up!"

There was not a shred of fear in me. I was being fueled by other feelings that muscled out any sense of fear.

There was no answer.

I aimed the light in through the driver's seat window. Then I walked around the vehicle dousing it with light. But, I couldn't see a thing, they car's tinting was too great.

I then went in and grabbed some iron and brought out my 2 medium sized black dogs.

I hid the weapon nearby. I did not want to instigate anything, it was there as a backup.

Still no action from the car.

While I was pretty tough, I took no provocative actions such as attempting to open the door. It was enough to let them know I was there and was no easy prey.

Of course, I did not know if anyone was actually in the car, but I assumed as such.

I wrote down the license plate, with the aid of my flashlight. I felt like a cop.

I opted to go in the house and call the police.

Moments later I heard a door open. And then a slam. Then I saw the car start up and drive off down the road.

Now, I am not sure if they were in the car of had left it there and then went off somewhere else and returned.

Think of the fears you have. Then think about the actual risk I took. Yet somehow I managed to suppress any inkling of fear. I had it in me. Now, if I could handle such a situation without a morsel of fear, why would I fear other things?

Now, whether it was wise for me to do as I did is another matter. I had no clue who was in my car, it could have been a mass murderer on the run.

The point is that I was able to suppress any fear because I fixated on the objective and the sense that I was in the right. In addition, I was too tired to think "rationally".

So, each of us can in fact overcome our fear of doing whatever it is we are thinking of doing (say, starting a business), we just need to somehow conjure up the right mindset.

In addition, we have to put the fear into perspective. We are taking NO physical risk when we attempt something. In fact, we are taking no psychological risk - if we simply choose to NOT dwell on any negative outcome.

Yet... many of us have no fear in the face of real danger yet would get all nervous at the thought of taking some risk.

Perspective.

Then again, perhaps the creeps come back. Having thought about the incident, I now am significantly more apprehensive.

So, if something happens and we don't meet again... please just remember to put your fears into perspective when you take a risk that involves no true danger to life and limb.

Matt Carr
http://mindgoodies.com/