Everyone is looking for the perfect cure for our struggling economy. What do we need to do to turn it into a productive economy that we can live in. My favorite remedy is simple: Just get rid of about 50 percent of our FEAR.
We live in the greatest country in the world. It is true we are having to cope with serious issues, but most of what is happening to us is out of our control. Take the weather, hurricanes and tornadoes; the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and the overseas economic woes on our plate are all issues out of our control.
I must repeat myself about FEAR. It means False Evidence Appearing Real to me. The longer we buy into FEAR, the more it controls us. Some people say FEAR stands for Forget Everything And Run, or Finding Excuses And Reasons, or False Emotions Appearing Real. Whichever one you like, the end result is the same: malaise, inaction, apprehension and the list goes on. We seem to be a herd of deer in the headlights when it comes to FEAR.
Let's try another word or anecdote for FEAR. Try HOPE on for size. It could stand for Helping Out People Everyday, or Healing Of People Everywhere, or Health Options & Positive Experiences; or Hearing Other Peoples Experiences. They all sound better than FEAR. If we are bogged down with what to do, try any of the above and see if you don't feel a little better.
James Thurber, a well-known humorist said, "Let us not look back in anger or forward in fear, but around in awareness."
Be aware of our attitudes for coping and start planning for the personal turnaround we each need. Former English Prime Minister David Lloyd George put it clearly, "Don't be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated. You can't cross a chasm in two small jumps." We do need to begin our escape from our FEAR factor one step at a time.
Remember this, Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. No one was there. Opportunity knocks more than once but we have to be home to answer the call.
We live in the greatest country in the world. It is true we are having to cope with serious issues, but most of what is happening to us is out of our control. Take the weather, hurricanes and tornadoes; the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and the overseas economic woes on our plate are all issues out of our control.
I must repeat myself about FEAR. It means False Evidence Appearing Real to me. The longer we buy into FEAR, the more it controls us. Some people say FEAR stands for Forget Everything And Run, or Finding Excuses And Reasons, or False Emotions Appearing Real. Whichever one you like, the end result is the same: malaise, inaction, apprehension and the list goes on. We seem to be a herd of deer in the headlights when it comes to FEAR.
Let's try another word or anecdote for FEAR. Try HOPE on for size. It could stand for Helping Out People Everyday, or Healing Of People Everywhere, or Health Options & Positive Experiences; or Hearing Other Peoples Experiences. They all sound better than FEAR. If we are bogged down with what to do, try any of the above and see if you don't feel a little better.
James Thurber, a well-known humorist said, "Let us not look back in anger or forward in fear, but around in awareness."
Be aware of our attitudes for coping and start planning for the personal turnaround we each need. Former English Prime Minister David Lloyd George put it clearly, "Don't be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated. You can't cross a chasm in two small jumps." We do need to begin our escape from our FEAR factor one step at a time.
Remember this, Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. No one was there. Opportunity knocks more than once but we have to be home to answer the call.