Facing 2025 and Banishing FEAR

 

#2025 is now at my doorstep. It'll come in, whether I invite it or not.

One of my overwhelming emotions about the #NewYear is fear. I hate to say that, because most of the time, fear is the close-to-identical sibling of worry, with a lot more rationale on its Edvard Munch face. Fear is the enemy of hope, of optimism.

But one lesson I've learned at my ripe old age is this: I have control over very little. The one thing that is always in my power, though, is how I react.

I don't believe in New Year's resolutions, but my intention for 2025 is to keep fear at bay. I know my fear is reasonable, on both a personal and political level, yet I can't let it get in the way of my experiencing joy and love.

So, to combat fear, I will recognize that change is inevitable. Nothing in this life stays the same. The good and the bad both fall by the wayside and may indeed become more or less of their subjective value as our perceptions shift.

I will accept my fear. I will say, "Hello. I see you there." I will acknowledge it.

And then I'll move on, letting my worries and trepidations pass through me. The only way to deal with fear is to go through it, experience it, and then see it for what it is--caution.

Caution can keep us from living a fully-realized life. Yes, it can save us and protect us from harm--but only so much. It can also keep us sitting at home when the joys of life surround us, but we fear that taking part might lead to shame, embarrassment, infection, and worse. Valid concerns, but...

...In 2025, I choose to live. To reach out with love and joy to those around me, the ones I know and the ones I've yet to meet. I won't be afraid to let go of what no longer serves me. And I will summon up the bravery to take risks, knowing that, as the old adage goes...you gotta play to win.

My wish for you is that, even in the face of terrifying odds, you choose joy, you choose love, you choose hope.

You choose to live...