An Aspect of Fear by Grace Sheppard

Author:Grace Sheppard
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: grace sheppard, aspect of fea, fear, anxiety, agraphobia, personal growth, personal development plan, darton longman and todd, healing, inspiration, self help, panic attack, peace, journey
ISBN: 9780232530056
Publisher: Andrews UK
Published: 2013-01-16T00:00:00+00:00

6: Facing Fear and Finding Courage

Fear is not only a feeling. It is a fact. It is part of the truth about our humanity, and proves that we are alive. If we are to face the truth, then we need to stand four-square to our fears and look straight at them, preferably with someone else. This takes courage. Half-facing our fears leaves us with only an incomplete impression of the truth, and we frighten and confuse ourselves more than we need. Fully facing them brings courage, confidence and freedom.

Many of us as children had moments when we were afraid of the dark. Even the half-light of the street lamp or the moon outside our windows would make alarming shapes which set our imaginations running, and we would pull the bedclothes closer. We would lie there with our hearts pumping from fear of what might be there, not knowing for certain who or what was outside. As a child, just after the Second World War, I had to go to bed up some dark stairs and along a passage lit by a dim light bulb. I often imagined a man with a gun lurking round the corner. If there had been a stronger light, less would have been left to my imagination. Of course there was no such person, but my fear was real enough.

Half looking at what we fear, leads us to confusion. We leave ourselves with just an impression and go on to imagine consequences, building defences in our imagination.

Facing fear is like putting on the main light. As children we found it comforting when someone came to switch on the light for us. As growing people we learn how to turn the light on for ourselves, and also for each other. However, when we continue to feel afraid, it helps to pause and acknowledge what is happening, and look properly at the suspected cause of fear. This way we begin to face the truth and find courage in the process. We feel more secure, and less fearful.

Fear of the dark and of the half-light is a basic fear. So is the fear of letting go in sleep. We all go to sleep, and it is something most of us welcome. Sleep is not difficult to talk about; it is a natural activity bringing refreshment, and is necessary to life. Even sleeplessness is not a taboo subject.

Yet some people find it difficult to sleep. They toss and turn, their minds full of problems. Sleep eludes them, and they begin to worry. This anxiety turns to fear, and the cycle continues.

There are practical ways in which we can help ourselves if we do find it difficult to sleep. Some people need to unwind from the day’s activities by reading, watching television or listening to the radio while they wait for sleep to take over. Sleeping pills can help to break the pattern of sleeplessness, though they should never become a habit.

If we still can’t sleep, it is important to decide early what to do.

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