Fear comes in so many packages.  I’m sure you recognize some of the most common types of fear:

• Fear of disappointing others
• Fear of illness
• Fear of death
• Fear of not fitting in
• Fear of poverty
• Fear of losing
• Fear of powerlessness
• Fear of failure

These fears have power over the lives of many people throughout the world, often without their knowledge of it.

An angry fighter may not know that he is subconsciously driven to violence by fear.  A woman who uses her sexuality to manipulate men may not be consciously aware that she is insecure and deeply afraid of powerlessness.  A demanding cult leader may not realize that he is obsessed by a deep fear of losing control.  People who conform to cultural, religious, or societal norms may not know that they have a fear of not fitting in with the crowd.

Unfortunately, those who have yet to acknowledge the role of fear in their life are highly unlikely to manifest positive change.

Law of Attraction and Fear

By Law of Attraction, that which is like unto itself is drawn.  So, what do you think is drawn to you when you live in fear?

Well, fear is a very low vibration emotion. Therefore, thoughts and circumstances of a similarly low vibration are allowed into your life experience when you entertain fear.  In other words, fear-based thinking attracts situations that result in disappointment, frustration, anger, depression, and even more fear.

Here’s an example: If you have a fear of weight gain, your negative point of attraction may draw unto you experiences; such as, digestive problems, feelings of guilt after eating, lack of interest in nutrient-rich foods, excessive preoccupation with food, and body image/self esteem issues.

At some point this downward spiral that started with fear will manifest exactly what you feared—weight gain—plus a range of equally undesirable issues. You didn’t intend to attract the negatives, but your fear focused on the undesirable outcomes and created resistance to what you really want.

The Power of Negative Emotion

Because emotions are indicators of your thoughts and your point of attraction, there is some benefit to feeling fear.  A negative emotion is a message from your Inner Self that lets you know when your thoughts are not in alignment with your desires.

It is somewhat like a weather warning.  The fear beeps in to let you know that you’re thinking in a way that allows/attracts stormy conditions.  After all, you wouldn’t feel fear if your thoughts were on smiling babies, sunny days, happiness, and the outpouring of love.  You feel fear because you are listening to negative news, placing your beliefs in statistics that have impacted others, focusing on negative “what ifs,” feeling vulnerable, and forgetting your ability to create your own reality.

A Logical Approach to Fear

In The Science of Fear, Stephen discussed his very logical and analytical approach to reducing fear.  He evaluates situations based on their likelihood of occurrence and only worries about those for which he believes there is a significant (approx. 1 in 4 chance) risk.

That means no more worrying about dying via airplane accidents, food chemicals, or shark attacks.  I love this idea for lessening the impact of fear, but I would like to take it even further.

Positive Awareness and Living in the Now

Like many people, I’ve overcome some dreadful experiences in my life.  But it wasn’t until I began practicing conscious living that I learned how to lessen the fear that dwelled within me after the fact.  So, what is my personal solution for fear?  I practice living in the now—remaining conscious and appreciative of the present moment. And I’ll provide a few examples of how you can use this principle to overcome fear in your life.

Let’s say you were just diagnosed with a disease that kills 95% of the people who contract it.  Statistically, the odds are stacked against you; but no statistician ways in the effects of a positive, powerfully-focused, creative mind.  You are alive in this moment, so you have choices on how to approach the situation.

Choice #1:  You can become so afraid of the prognosis that you give up on life.  You can curse the doctors, blame God, and feel angry at yourself for not taking preventative measures. You can focus on the mistakes you’ve made, painful medical procedures, the causes that led to your illness, the sad look in your family’s eyes, and the unfairness of it all.  This is a fear-based response, which will leave you drowning in a sea of negative thought vibrations that strongly resist healing.

Choice #2: You can look for and focus on the bright side.  5% of the people who’ve contracted this disease in the past have survived.  And you are, in the present moment, surviving.  You can bless every healthy cell in your body, thus influencing them to multiply.  You can increase your awareness of the good in your life by pointing out every single thing that brings you joy.  If you can breathe easily, give thanks for your lungs.  If you have family at your side, appreciate their support.  If you can walk, be fully aware of how wonderful it is to have this capability.  This is a powerful response that attracts the manifestation of what you want by focusing on it without regard for its opposite.

Fear has a 0% chance of improving your life and a 100% chance of making you feel worse, so consider those odds when choosing your approach.

Overcoming Fear for Self Development

The next time you’re faced with scary information, just remember that well-being (both physical and emotional) is your birthright.  You are perfectly capable of using fear as a reminder to consciously guide your thoughts without letting it take control of your life.

Of course, it may take significant time and effort to develop a positive outlook if you’re accustomed to guarding against potential threats. But guess what…it can be done.

Anytime the first thoughts to cross your mind are more in alignment with fear than joy, simply release them and keep searching for the light.  The light is always there, even in the darkest of times, but you must be willing to find it and give it your undivided attention.

You are destined to live happily and fearlessly. And you will do so as long as your thoughts do not resist it.