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Facing Your Fears

 

 

Have you ever been afraid of something?  Something so scary you can't see a way out?  Is facing your fear something that you are afraid to do?

 

We all have fears, struggles, and obstacles to overcome. We all have weaknesses.  Yet, I believe we all have that silent strength within that when given the opportunity can carry us father than we ever imagined possible.

 

Many times we think we are alone or that no one else can understand what it is we are going through.  Chances are, we are wrong. When we get to know people, we quickly discover how much we actually have in common.  It is just a matter of if you will take the time to actually build those relationships. When you do, they can change your life.  They can offer you far more than you ever expected making the friendships truly priceless as they can encourage, support and build self-confidence between both members.

 

It has taken me many years to recognize, face and take the needed steps to change my life and the lives of my children.  I was paralyzed by fear.  Fear of not knowing I was good enough, or could support my family on my own, fear of not being able to face what it is I so desperately needed to face.  It has been through my online relationships that I have been able to face those fears.

 

You can't let your fear consume you. Fear will paralyze you and we are meant to grow, flourish and become our best selves.  When fear comes into your life it robs you of your best self.  Steals years off of your life, takes your joy and leaves you empty, wondering "what if".  That is not living. It is existing and this life is meant to be lived. We are meant to be exceptional! We are all meant to help others and to be helped.

 

I was faced with a decision just a couple of weeks ago. I always believed that when the time was right I would know.  A window of opportunity had opened, the decision was mine to make. Would I make that step or would I remain paralyzed? I knew I had to make that change. If I didn't now I never would. There would always be a reason to keep me where I was, something holding me back, FEAR!!!  Thankfully enough I had built the right relationships along the way. People who believed in me, knew I had potential and were willing to hold my hand in the process.  People who were willing to help me pick up all of the pieces and move forward.  I was actually amazed and overwhelmed at the support I received. It was a life changing experience.

 

Now, I am not going to tell you that it is not hard. It is definitely the hardest thing I have ever done. I am having my ups and downs through this but I know deep inside I made the right decision.  As difficult as it is a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders and the world has opened its doors inviting me to live.  All this time I have I lived in the dark because of FEAR allowing it to hold me back, trap me and suck the life out of me. I can't get any of that time back but I am choosing to make the rest of my life filled with love, laughter and friendships.

 

I am greeting each day with open arms,  embracing the possibilities and living in the moment. I am "Good Enough" and l am building a life that I can be proud of.   There should never be any fear great enough that keeps you from having a life the you envision for yourself.   It is not about doing it alone but about taking that step knowing others are there for you who believe you are destined for greatness.  You may be the one who has to do the actual work in facing your fear but you will find that silent strength that you need.  It is there, hidden within waiting for you to unleash it!!

 

Whatever it is, facing your fear will help you grow and be all that you were created to be!

  • http://twitter.com/MarthaGiffen Martha Giffen

    Fear of the unknown can be so debilitating!  Also, the voices in our heads can feed the fear.  Glad that you stepped up to the plate for yourself and your children.  Good luck in all your endeavors.  God Bless!

    • Terressa

      Thank you Martha. I am learning to drown out those fears and focus on the positive knowing there is a great life waiting for me to embrace it .

  • http://alexandramcallister.com/ Alexandra McAllister

    You are such an amazing woman, Terressa! I am so proud of the way you faced your fear and moved ahead! You’ve taken the first step towards a better life for you and your children! God bless you. I, too, faced my fear and finally did something about it, last Friday! I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders! I look forward to reading about your new life!

    • Terressa

      Thank you very much. I too feel a weight lifted and although I have a ways to go it now seems possible ! Blessings and prayers to you as well.

  • liz Maness

    Terressa, I have prayed and cried for you! I would have come to help and I am so proud that you did it on your own! I know you feel powerful now. You will get stronger and you need to know you can do it!!

    • Terressa

      Thank you Liz. You are making my world and days brighter :) Thank you for everything .

  • http://www.thechoicedrivenlife.com/ Olga

    Terressa, you are such a brave woman; you made the first step and faced fear in the face and look at you now; we are reading your posts and you will do so many more great things that you don’t know yet. I applaud you for that. I will stay in touch with you!

    • Terressa

      Thank you for all of your encouragment . I am incredibly grateful by all of the people I have had the opportunity to meet. Everyone has been there and I never knew that to be possible until now.

  • http://twitter.com/CouplesAuthor Barbara J Peters

    It’s so hard to know what to do or what the right thing to do is when you are afraid. I’ve very excited for you in your journey and new life. Stay strong sweetheart. I will be thinking about you! 

    • Terressa

      Thank you Barabara. I am forever grateful !

  • http://www.sherievenner.com Sherie Venner

    Teressa, when I look at you and see how you have stepped up to the plate and made that hard decision…it brings tears to my eyes. You ARE good enough and you always were…and facing those fears just gets easier…big hugs!

    • Terressa

      Thank you Sherie. I am so grateful for all of th esupport I received.It has made all of hte difference in my life.

  • http://carolynhughesthehurthealer.wordpress.com/ Carolyn Hughes

    Hi Terressa, You may have heard my little motto before but it’s one that I repeat to myself a lot. 
    “If you’re afraid to do it, do it afraid.” I know that you have done that and I’m inspired by you!

    • Terressa

      I have heard that often and I agree. As afriad as I was and still am I also feel so much better. I am inspiered by you !

  • cathsj

    Facing FEAR and proving you can do it always works. Thx for the reminder!

  • http://twitter.com/socialwithsara Sara Nickleberry

    What an inspiration you are. Powerful story and one that can benefit so many and change lives. You are brave.

  • http://manifestingmydestiny.com/ Lorii Abela

    Thanks for the reminder, Theresa. Everyone, all of us, has our own strength and weaknesses. And thanks for showing us your bravery. Truly an inspiration!

  • http://twitter.com/LisaBirnesser Lisa Birnesser

    Terressa, your strength and courage inspire me. You have stepped into your fear and are living in your truth. thank you so much!

  • Traci Woodside

    Thank you for the inspiration!  I’ve been “trapped” in my Daycare biz for far too long, afraid to give it up.  Aftaid of not knowing what to do otherwise and not making enough money.  But this year I have decided is going to be my last year.  I have vowed to myself not to take on anymore kids and just let the ones I have weed out.  After school starts, I will be left with 3 kids.  I currently have 6, that’s a huge drop in income compared to past years!  But I’m going to make this work out, and be done with Daycare! 

  • Nancy

    Funny. I’ve been reading so much about fear, about moving through it in order to have what we really want. In fact, I just wrote a post about how fear keeps us locked in our comfort zone, stuck in the status quo.

    I love what you say about getting support from those around you. This is so important when fear threatens to keep us stuck and small.

  • http://www.facebook.com/denny.hagel Denny Hagel

    Fear is such a waste of time…and an emotion we learn from those around us! Parents be alert to what you are passing on to your kids! Love this article! Great job!

  • http://www.stopeatingyourheartout.com/ Meryl Hershey Beck

    I appreciate your writing about fear! Do you know that fear can stand for False Evidence Appearing Real? I like the title of a book I saw many years ago “Feel the Fear, but Do It Anyway.”

  • Kpresecan

    great post!  Will definitely help many people.  I’m facing a fear in two days…flying.  xo

  • http://twitter.com/SusanPreston Susan Can Help Me

    Great post, Terressa. I loved how you wrote, “I can’t get any of that time back but I am choosing to make the rest of my life filled with love, laughter and friendships.”  I am so proud of you! Thanks for writing from your beautiful heart {hugs}

  • http://marieleslie.com/ Marie Leslie

    Yay for you! I know this was a huge step. I can’t wait to see what wonderful things await the rest of your journey.

  • http://www.positivecalm.com/ Solvita

    So proud of you my friend! Keep going, and you are so right…. Live your life to the fullest, you truly deserve it.

  • Mandy

    So proud of you Terressa! Facing that particular fear took courage and you did it!

  • Sue

    Terressa, what a moving post.  I am so happy for you and proud of you.  As you said, it isn’t “easy” to face our fears and to do something about it, but the alternative keeps us from living the life that we were destined to live.  I applaud you and also very thankful for all of the support that is available here online in special communities with friends who truly care and will always be there to encourage you.  Will keep praying for you and your special girls.  God has big plans for you!

  • Kerry Postel

    I love your posts and how you write! You are amazing and you are an inspiration.

  • http://sharonoday.com/ Sharon O’Day

    The phrase “Feel the fear and do it anyway” is so easy to say, Terressa.  But so much harder to do.  I’m thrilled you gathered up all your energies and took those steps into a world of new possibilities.  Now it’s one step in front of the other, as each gets easier … ;-)   And you HAVE to know how many people you have rooting for you!

  • http://twitter.com/SuzanneJonesBiz Suzanne Jones

    I know all about fear. All my past decisions were based on fear. Congrats for stepping into yourself and going for it. I know how hard it is :)

  • http://www.housecleaningonwheels.com/ Jan Maskew

    Great article :) Thank you for sharing :)

  • http://twitter.com/EdmundSLee Edmund Lee

    Way to go!  It takes a lot of COURAGE to push through that barrier and make that leap in life.  Proud of you!