(photo: @attentieattentie)
The way a person perceives fear shapes their life, relationships, and legacy. From an early age, we are taught to view fear as a measure of danger. If something scares us, we are encouraged to stay away, while safe things attract us. Fear is presented as a mechanism to keep us secure, cautioning us against strangers, dangerous roads, large animals, unfamiliar situations, and risks.
We are conditioned to use fear as a means to protect ourselves, to stay safe, unhurt, and alive. Our parents teach us this approach, as they were taught by their parents, and so on, tracing back to the time when one had to be vigilant against predators, relying on their mind, spear, and fear as the sole defenses.
Fear has served as a survival tool, preventing us from being abducted, getting hit by vehicles, or becoming lost in unfamiliar places like supermarkets. However, fear has also held us back from truly living. Our perception of fear has prevented us from taking the risks that, deep down, we long to take. It has kept us confined and insignificant, lacking courage instead of displaying bravery.
Nevertheless, fear itself is not the enemy. It is our perspective on fear that profoundly influences who we are, our impact on the world, and our accomplishments within the limited time we have on this planet.
Every individual can be categorized as either a warrior or a coward. The distribution is heavily skewed towards the latter, with cowards significantly outnumbering warriors. Yet, the impact that a warrior has on their peers and the world surpasses that of a coward.
The primary distinction between these two types lies in how they perceive fear. The coward uses fear as a measure, while the warrior employs fear as a compass. The warrior gravitates towards their greatest fears, understanding that within those fears lie success, happiness, and adventure.
Your identity, the kind of father you become, the legacy you leave, and every aspect of your life depend on how you view fear. Odds are, you may currently identify more as a coward. It is disheartening to admit, but it reflects the reality. However, this doesn’t have to remain your reality.
If you currently identify as a coward, it is not entirely your fault. You have been influenced by a worldview imposed on you from a young age. Nevertheless, this worldview can be changed. Your perception of fear can evolve. You can become a warrior, forging a new destiny and leaving an incredible legacy.
The Warrior and the Coward
The coward avoids what they fear, opting to stay within the confines of their comfort zone.
The coward acknowledges their overt, external fears—such as darkness, heights, or snakes—but fails to recognize fear as the obstacle preventing them from achieving their greatest ambitions and dreams. They consider these aspirations as mere fantasies, pursuits reserved for others who do not share the same life responsibilities.
On the other hand, the warrior possesses the awareness to understand that fear hinders them from writing that book, embarking on that journey, or ending that relationship. They take the necessary steps to confront fear head-on, refusing to flee from the battle by denying its real and formidable existence.
The coward disregards their fears due to a deep-seated fear of facing them.
The warrior accepts fear as an inherent part of life.
The coward’s potential is constrained by fear, while the warrior employs fear to grow, evolve, and construct the life they desire.
How to Harness Fear to Your Advantage
Fear is genuine. It is an integral part of life. The key lies in utilizing fear to your advantage instead of allowing it to consume and dominate your life. Fear should guide you, not dictate your actions.
Your greatest fear in life is not stumbling upon a bear in the woods. Rather, it is succumbing to fear itself.
Take a moment to recognize what truly frightens you in terms of potential failure. Many individuals tend to avoid engaging in the battle and rationalize not even attempting it. However, it is precisely those things that provoke fear within you that ignite a sense of excitement and passion. It’s time to take action and pursue those endeavors that scare you the most.
Put your thoughts into writing by crafting that book, screenplay, or heartfelt letter. Take the leap and establish that website, start a business, or initiate a non-profit organization. Approach that person you’ve been meaning to ask out, even if it feels daunting. You see them every day, yet you struggle to muster the courage to invite them on a date. Remember, even if the outcome doesn’t turn out as expected, the experience will contribute to your personal growth. It may even grant you the confidence to approach someone truly remarkable in the future.