Fear Basic Number One:

I’ve become hyper-aware of how fear has become, in the last three years my near constant companion.

I use the word companion intentionally because it’s about having a relationship with fear. As in how do you regard and behave toward each other? It’s not about being friends–but rather about acknowledging that fear, anxiety, dread, worry, overwhelm, confusion or paralysis is present. Simply that it exists.

It’s not about getting rid of it. You might like to get rid of that co-worker who always bugs you but he isn’t going anywhere so you learn to get along with him, even appreciate him, over time.

Fear Basic Number Two:

I’ve been self-employed most of my life. My sweetheart, on the other hand, has worked for a non-profit for many years. We are both afraid of how we will earn our living in the coming years–will people be able to afford what I create? Will Bob be laid off because of donor cutbacks?

What helps here is knowledge and facts. I did a budget so I would know what I must earn without going in debt. I started working with a new marketing person (I can’t wait to share The Comfort Summit with you!). I started learning more about running a business and discovered the pithy (and potty-mouthed, consider yourself warned) Naomi Dunford. Her blog has A TON of helpful free articles. Check this one out whether you are self-employed or not.

I’m also going to attend Molly Gordon’s recession-proof your business tele-retreat so I can undo my stressful thoughts which make my fear worse!

Facts and knowledge ground us in what we can do rather than what might happen.

Fear Basic Number Three:

Fear does not define you. It is not all of you. Sounds as obvious as pecan pie on Thanksgiving but I never clearly knew that before… I mean, if it were a true or false question, I would have answered, “True! Fear does not define me, no way, no how.” But my inner dialogue has been more like Gollum from Lord of the Rings, “My precious, my fear, you are so convincing, I don’t see where you end and I begin.”

Your fears are part of you, they have information for you, but they totally do NOT have the ability to define who you are or what you can do. Really.

Fear Resources

Come on over to my blog where I have been writing up a storm, some of my best writing in eons. Like:

Hope Making about my gratitude for living in our country

Fear of Creating about getting back to writing, painting, and life!

My Mom’s Courage in the Face of Loss

And while you are there, be sure to subscribe to my blog. That way, you’ll know when I post.

Don’t know what a blog is or how to comment or think it’s a big hairy deal? Here’s some help. Blogs are on-line journals that are intended for public consumption, and my blog fits this description to a “T.”

The NUMBER ONE REASON I WRITE A BLOG: your thoughts, responses, insights. When you subscribe, you can share those great insights (or just “Hey, me too” comments which I love just as much). It’s not complicated! So go to ComfortQueen.com, and click the “Subscribe Now” button on the right hand column and you are officially signed up and will be blogging (or blournalling or journogging) with me before you know it.

Don’t Miss

Maria Shriver’s inspiring keynote about fear at the Women’s Conference 2008

And again, Naomi’s blog.

Comfort Wishes

How did the woman ever open
her fear-rusted heart
and offer to the world her incandescence?

She knitted a vast tent of compassion and invited fear
and everybody else in
to sit a spell and feel
the walls luffing lightly against their skin.