Freedom to Fear...

I love celebrating the 4th  of July. Not only is it the anniversary of America's independence, it’s also a reminder for people of their infinite desire for freedom! Freedom of speech, to gather, to worship, etc. etc. We are indeed a country of freedoms.
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That is who we are in America; a gathering of people who demand their independence. Our ancestors, no matter what continent they came from, expected to find freedoms to support their greatest dreams and desires. Certainly, my parents, coming from Mexico expected to have the freedom America promised; to live in a country of opportunities. To work hard and to prosper and live in a democratic society of honest rules and principles and a constitution that would protect their rights. 

​Yet the most important freedom we possess, is one we take for granted or waste unconsciously; the freedom to direct our thoughts and create our attitudes. I know most people think this comment is “New Age” rhetoric and scientifically unfounded, but it is now a proven statistic; just as it is confirmed meditation is as beneficial as medication, one’s attitude is vital for optimum physical health and emotional well-being. What we continually think about, we create inside our cellular body and manifest in our outer lives. We decide thought by thought what attitude we will choose in which to create our future. 
A person who understood the importance of attitude was Dr. Viktor Frankl, an Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist when writing  Man’s Search for Ultimate Meaning,  in his recollections surviving the holocaust; “The last of the human freedoms: to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way. And there were always choices to make. Every day, every hour, offered the opportunity to make a decision, a decision which determined whether you would or would not submit to those powers which threatened to rob you of your very self, your inner freedom; which determined whether or not you become the plaything to circumstance, renouncing freedom and dignity.” 

As Dr. Frankl stated, ‘in any given set of circumstances,’ I can’t help but think of our current circumstances with COVID 19. Of course, we are all in this together as our health and wellness depends on each other. As a blanket of group consciousness covers us with the unknown, fear is at its best when we don’t have answers and a point of exit.  But we can be cautions and caring and not be the plaything to anxiety and panic. Self-responsibility, not blaming others for the circumstances and no matter the outcome, you know you can handle whatever comes your way.

In a recent article in O Magazine, author, life coach Martha Beck on  befriending our beastly fears ,  writes; Only we humans have the dubious talent of staying scared even when there’s no immediate threat….The problem with these approaches is that instead of conquering or avoiding the fear, we put it at the center of our lives and allow it to control us.” 
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Over the years, I have written countless articles and even books on the importance of reconciling fear as a natural emotion that solidifies our survival as human beings. Yes! Have fears and acknowledge them for what they are; a warning, a call to attention, a deepening of faith and a marker for personal growth.  You can avoid the melodrama of fear by releasing it when it’s time to move on. You own the freedom to fear as well as the freedom to live fearlessly. And only you can decide which freedom you will embrace.