I would be at ease and able to support myself better. There is a heavy weight on my sternum and behind it, deep grief and fear. I feel it is ancestral and it feels painful.
at this late age I found it more apt to ask who would I have been without fear
and in review there were times perhaps I was but mostly thru the arts.. aha
and with that I got another layer of…..what is between me and being an artist
Nancy Popiel, Another Field, Havertown, PA, USAsays
Without fear, my nervous system would be
consistently at peace, my heart beat would be steady and my breathing full with every inhale. I’d be a better listener and a more compassionate partner.
Finally, I’d more readily fulfill my artistic dreams.
A more content person! This approach sounds very similar to Inner Relationship Focusing with Ann Weiser-Cornell and Barabara McGavin. it is great that there is more & more support to look inward at fear & uncomfortable feelings. Thank you for your offereings.
Gosh, I think I would have so much more energy and capacity to focus on the present, including being a stronger, more focussed and engaged mum, wife, friend, employee… fear is crippling
Without fear I will be bouncing with so much confidence and be so assured of using all my God-given talents and skills to bring more happiness to others.
I can imagine how free I would feel, and yet I then have the fear of who I’d be without all this heaviness I’ve carried for so long and used as my default to just get through life. I want to let go of the fear.
Lori Garfinkel, Psychology, Shorewood, WI, USAsays
Ahhh fear… existential fear motivates me. I want to be able to have fear and have less of a need to be safe. I’m not sure if a sense of both can exist together.
When I think about it, it seems that the potential would be seemingly limitless. It boggles my mind to think about living without fear – I can hardly imagine it!
I will be more grounded, able to let go fearful thoughts. I have wondered how to “let go”— So often it is said to “just let go”. Sounds easy but it’s not always easy!! It feels like challenging whatever it is I would like to let go by using the phrase, “real but not true”, might be the piece/peace I’ve been seeking.
Without fear, I would be a more confident person. I am so afraid of failure that it stops me from trying. I want to feel that if I fail at something it’s ok, I’m learning something new. Many people fail many times but they still are able to survive and then accomplish there goals. I want to be like that. I don’t want to be afraid anymore of what people think of me if I fail. It’s ok to not be perfect. I want to try so many new things without being afraid to fail.
Thank you for this wonderful wisdom & insights that:-
None of us would be safe if we had no fear. Fear per-se isn’t the real problem.
The self limiting beliefs are what requires our attention, our compassionate investigation & gentle letting go, as we learn to heal ourselves.
Mostly myself, as I’ve done alot of inner work, (given I am a psychologist). However, it would further awaken the lioness who was able to tune into her instincts, 110% of the time, and give less air-time to distracting thoughts, that arise from time-to-time.
I would no longer be overshadowed by a fear of failure that can paralyse me or lead to procrastination until it is too late to try anything that I might have thought of doing. Tony
Who would I be if I didn’t believe something was wrong with me?
Well, I wouldn’t be me because I’ve gotten the ingrained message that something was wrong w/ me all my life, especially as a very young child.
I would be a better therapist! A better partner, family member, and friend to others and myself. All because I’d be more present and able to flow with the unknowns of life and the doubts within with more compassion, organicity, spontaneity, grit, and grace.
Patty Kitlasz, Social Work, Hendersonville, NC, USAsays
This is a question of many layers. The largest piece of information that i have gleamed here is your comment “the mental voice of my inner judge” That voice has not stopped chatting in my brain and body by judging me since I was 6 years old. For 61 years I have heard it and believed it. So frightened by
rejection that I spent most of my life looking the the person that would quiet that voice.
Well its me. Who knew?
Without fear, I would live my with freedom, with lightness and trust.
I would be more spontaneous and joyful, more compassionate and kind with myself and with others.
BRIAN STEPPACHER, Other, South Portland, ME, USAsays
Thank you, Michelle, you put it so insightfully. You are my inspiration.
Who would I be if I did not live with fear?
I would not be alone.
I would be wrapped with boldness, confidence, Love and compassion by some omnipotent, omniscient, ubiquitous presence greater than myself. It would be a wonderful world full of meaning and caring engagement. I would fulfil my potential, being all that I am meant to be.
“I AM NOT ALONE”
(I CAN FEEL YOU HERE
WIDENING THE CIRCLES OF COMPASSION)
Isaiah 41:10
New International Version
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
The fear of repeating the same mistakes again, the fear of loving & going through being hurt again, thank you for sharing this just at this moment same as I’m going through this challenge . I will keep following the words you said ‘real but not true’ to fight self doubt & fear.
I would be happier and feel more capable of completing the things I like doing. I’d spend less time worrying about what might happen and live in the present moments. I’d look forward to potential happy events and create future tasks with more enthusiasm
I would be my self—unburdened of this heavy weight I carry.
I would be my self—without hidden tics and twitches.
I would be my self as I sometimes really am—on good days—up for Life.
I would be my self at the advanced age I am—accepting the universality of aging and death.
I’d trust myself and the flow of life
I’ll be kinder with myself
Taking risks would be welcomed with curiosity and confidence
I’d be relaxed, having more space for joy, lightness, creativity
Be more present to the Now
Deep acceptance of all there is…
Stop comparing self to others and seeking approval
Be in an intimate relationship
Be more comfortable with the unknown
Trust my dreams and visions – act
Offer myself unconditional love
I would be able to accept that what I am doing is the right thing to be doing and not fear that there is something more important that I should be doing.
Tara this is so helpful. I have many clients with chronic anxiety. Thank you so much.
I would be at ease and able to support myself better. There is a heavy weight on my sternum and behind it, deep grief and fear. I feel it is ancestral and it feels painful.
I would be my truest self – LOVE.
at this late age I found it more apt to ask who would I have been without fear
and in review there were times perhaps I was but mostly thru the arts.. aha
and with that I got another layer of…..what is between me and being an artist
Courageous enough to express myself and more generous with love towards others
I would be light and more joyful allowing myself to experience and create things without judgement.
Without fear, my nervous system would be
consistently at peace, my heart beat would be steady and my breathing full with every inhale. I’d be a better listener and a more compassionate partner.
Finally, I’d more readily fulfill my artistic dreams.
A more content person! This approach sounds very similar to Inner Relationship Focusing with Ann Weiser-Cornell and Barabara McGavin. it is great that there is more & more support to look inward at fear & uncomfortable feelings. Thank you for your offereings.
Without fear, I’d be happier to ‘just be me’. I’d be free-er to follow my dreams and actually take the steps to achieve them.
Gosh, I think I would have so much more energy and capacity to focus on the present, including being a stronger, more focussed and engaged mum, wife, friend, employee… fear is crippling
Liberated to write a comment and live a more fulfilling life.
Without fear I will be bouncing with so much confidence and be so assured of using all my God-given talents and skills to bring more happiness to others.
I would be able to truly be myself without worry about judgment from myself and others.
I don’t even know anymore
I would be light and clear headed.
I would be who God created me to be! I would be using my gifts and talents to serve others.
I can imagine how free I would feel, and yet I then have the fear of who I’d be without all this heaviness I’ve carried for so long and used as my default to just get through life. I want to let go of the fear.
If I did not believe something is wrong with me, I would have a internal freedom to seek for what makes me happy.
This question is like an echo bouncing around in a tunnel. I’m not quite sure. But I’d feel more free. More willing to take a risk.
F. R (Canada)
A happier person and more able to come fully into who I was meant to be. Unlimited potential.
Ahhh fear… existential fear motivates me. I want to be able to have fear and have less of a need to be safe. I’m not sure if a sense of both can exist together.
Happier and less limited in what I do.
When I think about it, it seems that the potential would be seemingly limitless. It boggles my mind to think about living without fear – I can hardly imagine it!
I will be more grounded, able to let go fearful thoughts. I have wondered how to “let go”— So often it is said to “just let go”. Sounds easy but it’s not always easy!! It feels like challenging whatever it is I would like to let go by using the phrase, “real but not true”, might be the piece/peace I’ve been seeking.
I would be light, airy and enjoy life more because i wouldn’t be holding on to the extra worry and anxiety. I’m working on it!
I would be calm and confident.
Without fear, I would be a more confident person. I am so afraid of failure that it stops me from trying. I want to feel that if I fail at something it’s ok, I’m learning something new. Many people fail many times but they still are able to survive and then accomplish there goals. I want to be like that. I don’t want to be afraid anymore of what people think of me if I fail. It’s ok to not be perfect. I want to try so many new things without being afraid to fail.
I would be living my true nature as I was created to be!
I would be calm and confident in my decisions.
I would trust that I can I can take care of myself and simultaneously know I am loved and never alone.
I would have more space for joy and pleasure.
I would be able to open my heart to finding a life partner with 2 legs (dog lovers will understand this)
Thank you for this wonderful wisdom & insights that:-
None of us would be safe if we had no fear. Fear per-se isn’t the real problem.
The self limiting beliefs are what requires our attention, our compassionate investigation & gentle letting go, as we learn to heal ourselves.
I would love myself!
Empowered!
Without fear I would be a confident and enthusiastic person who shares my gifts and life experiences with others, without reservation.
Mostly myself, as I’ve done alot of inner work, (given I am a psychologist). However, it would further awaken the lioness who was able to tune into her instincts, 110% of the time, and give less air-time to distracting thoughts, that arise from time-to-time.
I would no longer be overshadowed by a fear of failure that can paralyse me or lead to procrastination until it is too late to try anything that I might have thought of doing. Tony
I would be free to breathe, to not suffer so much, to see the goodness in myself and others.
Who would I be if I didn’t believe something was wrong with me?
Well, I wouldn’t be me because I’ve gotten the ingrained message that something was wrong w/ me all my life, especially as a very young child.
I would be a better therapist! A better partner, family member, and friend to others and myself. All because I’d be more present and able to flow with the unknowns of life and the doubts within with more compassion, organicity, spontaneity, grit, and grace.
I will be relief from the imaginary fear and worry and smile as I know i am not my thinking. Thank you!
I would be my authentic self.
This is a question of many layers. The largest piece of information that i have gleamed here is your comment “the mental voice of my inner judge” That voice has not stopped chatting in my brain and body by judging me since I was 6 years old. For 61 years I have heard it and believed it. So frightened by
rejection that I spent most of my life looking the the person that would quiet that voice.
Well its me. Who knew?
Without fear, I would live my with freedom, with lightness and trust.
I would be more spontaneous and joyful, more compassionate and kind with myself and with others.
Thank you, Michelle, you put it so insightfully. You are my inspiration.
Who would I be if I did not live with fear?
I would not be alone.
I would be wrapped with boldness, confidence, Love and compassion by some omnipotent, omniscient, ubiquitous presence greater than myself. It would be a wonderful world full of meaning and caring engagement. I would fulfil my potential, being all that I am meant to be.
“I AM NOT ALONE”
(I CAN FEEL YOU HERE
WIDENING THE CIRCLES OF COMPASSION)
Isaiah 41:10
New International Version
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
This created a wonderful shift of perspective. Ahh
The fear of repeating the same mistakes again, the fear of loving & going through being hurt again, thank you for sharing this just at this moment same as I’m going through this challenge . I will keep following the words you said ‘real but not true’ to fight self doubt & fear.
I would be happier and feel more capable of completing the things I like doing. I’d spend less time worrying about what might happen and live in the present moments. I’d look forward to potential happy events and create future tasks with more enthusiasm
Without fear (and anxiety) :
I would be my self—unburdened of this heavy weight I carry.
I would be my self—without hidden tics and twitches.
I would be my self as I sometimes really am—on good days—up for Life.
I would be my self at the advanced age I am—accepting the universality of aging and death.
I would be calm, confident, curious and having a lot of fun.
I’d trust myself and the flow of life
I’ll be kinder with myself
Taking risks would be welcomed with curiosity and confidence
I’d be relaxed, having more space for joy, lightness, creativity
Be more present to the Now
Deep acceptance of all there is…
Stop comparing self to others and seeking approval
Be in an intimate relationship
Be more comfortable with the unknown
Trust my dreams and visions – act
Offer myself unconditional love
Hi Tara
Without self-doubt, I would be an author –
I would be able to accept that what I am doing is the right thing to be doing and not fear that there is something more important that I should be doing.