I lived in fear for most of my childhood…if I did not have the love of a wonderful mother- I am not sure I would have survived. However; that fear was many times for her…worry that my father would hurt her. He would drink and then be verbally and later physically abusive. When she died at the age of 57…she finally was at peace…I believe that death may have been the only time in her life that she was without worry. As I passed the early teenage years; I had the love of a wonderful half brother…but there was no half about it…he was my hero. As an adult.. now a very senior adult I know love..I have a few fears – or worries…mostly about my dog…but otherwise life is about love…and with love everything changes…absolutely everything. Blessings my friends.
Ahh yes, fear. Fear has been my main
motivation for as long as I can remember.
Unwarranted fear. When I decided to
let people in to my inner life, much of the
fear dissipated. I have used fear as a
way of distracting myself from doing
the real work of asking the hard questions.
Keeping my heart open to giving and
receiving love and kindness has been
the best way to re-orient my life.
Softening my heart has helped me to be
a bit more empathetic.
I relax and breathe more deeply and slowly. I can respond rather than react. I know I’m incredibly fortunate to have experienced far more love than fear in my 60 years of life, and for that I am grateful.
This question is a coincidental one. I began to listen to a talk from Tara Brach, Facing Fear (part one), yesterday evening. Tara quotes a line from a book by Sri Nisargadatta. “the mind crates the abyss and the heart crosses it.” Living from a place of love rather than a place of fear will help us to be in the present and accept whatever is in the present.
Thank you for sharing this. A friend introduced me to Tara Brach a while back, and my husband and I have been nourished a lot by her talks and meditations.
BTW I don’t believe in “coincidences.” I believe that the teachings we need show up at exactly the right time.
Thank you for recomending Tara Brach, I went to check the podcast and I found some mediation that was wonderful! I have marked it as a favorite to listen to it tonight, I thank you!
Looking from the perspective of fear, we may see a distorted reality that can limit us a lot in life, but from the perspective of love, it completely changes the perspective to a more positive one.
Antoinette, I also had trouble with this question…and it brough traumatic memories back to surface for me too. Take a deep breath and take time for yourself….don’t trouble yourself if this question is making you uncomfortable. I am thinking of you.
In a word, Everything! Everything changes when I live “in” a place of love rather than fear. But for some, and for many reasons, getting to that place can be the work of a lifetime. Trauma, violence, and the absence of parental love in a child’s life makes understanding what love is, and what love is not, a journey of years beyond easy phrases. And that, dear friends, is when we come in and get busy!
Give yourself the gift of free bi-monthly inspiration including uplifting articles, diverse stories, supportive practices, videos, and more, delivered with heart to your inbox.
I lived in fear for most of my childhood…if I did not have the love of a wonderful mother- I am not sure I would have survived. However; that fear was many times for her…worry that my father would hurt her. He would drink and then be verbally and later physically abusive. When she died at the age of 57…she finally was at peace…I believe that death may have been the only time in her life that she was without worry. As I passed the early teenage years; I had the love of a wonderful half brother…but there was no half about it…he was my hero. As an adult.. now a very senior adult I know love..I have a few fears – or worries…mostly about my dog…but otherwise life is about love…and with love everything changes…absolutely everything. Blessings my friends.
Peace and Kindness to you dear Nannette.
Thank you so much for sharing. I am so glad you have peace in your life now. What a blessing.
Ahh yes, fear. Fear has been my main
motivation for as long as I can remember.
Unwarranted fear. When I decided to
let people in to my inner life, much of the
fear dissipated. I have used fear as a
way of distracting myself from doing
the real work of asking the hard questions.
Keeping my heart open to giving and
receiving love and kindness has been
the best way to re-orient my life.
Softening my heart has helped me to be
a bit more empathetic.
I can navigate with an energy and synchronicity of Trust not suspicion
I relax and breathe more deeply and slowly. I can respond rather than react. I know I’m incredibly fortunate to have experienced far more love than fear in my 60 years of life, and for that I am grateful.
When I abandon fear, I move into a place of calm and open up more.
My answer is that I pray I may always be able to come from a place of love rather than fear. May God’s peace be with us all. 🙏💖🌈
💟🫶🙏
I’m able to go with the flow of life with ease.
🌊🤙🏄♀️
My thoughts change from “I have to…” to “I’m blessed (or fortunate) to…” and I sleep much better.
I swap a no trespassing sign for a welcome mat.
perfect visual, lol
Hah!
Oh, I like that!
This question is a coincidental one. I began to listen to a talk from Tara Brach, Facing Fear (part one), yesterday evening. Tara quotes a line from a book by Sri Nisargadatta. “the mind crates the abyss and the heart crosses it.” Living from a place of love rather than a place of fear will help us to be in the present and accept whatever is in the present.
Thank you for sharing this. A friend introduced me to Tara Brach a while back, and my husband and I have been nourished a lot by her talks and meditations.
BTW I don’t believe in “coincidences.” I believe that the teachings we need show up at exactly the right time.
Oh boy, “the mind crates the abyss and the heart crosses it.”
Perfect.
Thank you for recomending Tara Brach, I went to check the podcast and I found some mediation that was wonderful! I have marked it as a favorite to listen to it tonight, I thank you!
Thank you, Joseph, your coment has really helped me today ❤️
Looking from the perspective of fear, we may see a distorted reality that can limit us a lot in life, but from the perspective of love, it completely changes the perspective to a more positive one.
I’m trying my best, but for whatever reasons today I’m having trouble.
Antoinette, I also had trouble with this question…and it brough traumatic memories back to surface for me too. Take a deep breath and take time for yourself….don’t trouble yourself if this question is making you uncomfortable. I am thinking of you.
🕊️☮️✌️
trust
If I have love in my heart, it will guide me through life. Love has its own intelligence.
In a word, Everything! Everything changes when I live “in” a place of love rather than fear. But for some, and for many reasons, getting to that place can be the work of a lifetime. Trauma, violence, and the absence of parental love in a child’s life makes understanding what love is, and what love is not, a journey of years beyond easy phrases. And that, dear friends, is when we come in and get busy!
Very nice and very understandable. Thank you Kevin.
Words of wisdom, my friend. Many thanks.
Thanks Kevin. Today is for whatever reason painful . Feelings of trauma coming up made it hard for me to answer.