Fear Drives Us All
Does it propel you forward or backward? What does fear do in you?

On 6.7% of my days, I have been afraid.
That feeling has been the subject in 40 days of my 598 days (and counting) journal.
My most common fear is to run out of money.
Other reasons for writing about my fears have been:
- Fear of doing what I should.
- Afraid to face what I should have long ago.
- Break with the fear of the self-censor selfish tyrant.
- Fear of what will come.
- Fear of forgetting something.
- Afraid to say “I’m happy” because I know it’s fickle.
- Fear of losing the courage to write.
- Afraid to ride in a canoe; a situation where my body asked for action but my mind asked for rest.
- Afraid to write about my fears and be judged as a “pussy”.
Fear, defined more or less as Aristotle did, is the awareness that there are important things relevant to our lives that are out there, and that threaten us, that is, bad things, and that you do not have the control to get rid of them. Fear is the thought, “the bad is out there, and I really can not do much about it”.- Martha Nussbaum
Fear is personal. You can read and receive tips to overcome it, but only you can do it. Where others see problems see opportunities. Where others see obstacles and risks see a challenge to grow and gains to obtain.
This only applies to the fears created in the stories of our life. In an immediate, real and impactful situation, instinct is the best guide. Waiting to think would be counterproductive.
Having confidence in your abilities is the engine that will give the impulse to what you want to do. Sit in the driver’s seat and grab the wheel of your life. The engine only exists if you believe that the gasoline that drives it is a product of your ability to create more gasoline. If you don’t believe that you can create gasoline and that it depends on another one that sells or makes it then you can only get to where a full tank can take you before you have to start over and look for someone to fill it. Or you can look for something inside that fills your tank and you’ll get all the miles you need.
Challenges that filled me with fear
In my experiences and reflections, these have been the most common fears that I have faced.
Age and work
Of course, age is just a number. And it’s also an incontrovertible reality exposed for the whole world to see. When you are your own boss you write the guidelines and follow your rules. You get where you want to go. But when your acceptance depends on the hidden prejudices of another person — what can be done?
Negativity
Negativity is as bad as unbridled positivism. None will lead you to good results. But don’t drop it completely unless you enjoy emotional roller coasters. Proceed with cautious optimism and only remove it completely when the investment is minimal. Obviously, with less investment comes less profit, and many people preach “risk everything!” to get the greatest benefit. But that attitude is not always responsible.
What others think
That depends on who it is. There is the simplistic attitude of ignoring what others say. But, what if it’s someone you trust? Someone you asked for advice? You can’t always ignore what’s said — reflect and use it to improve. Remember the saying — perception is reality.
Fear
Controlled fear is a great motivator. It forces you to make a decision and face it, walk away or ignore it. But it has the power to keep appearing. It’s better to face it and overcome it and in that way, it becomes a reason for pride and fulfillment. A mental star to light the dark nights when the sun of achievement is hidden by the nights of despair.
Past or future
Do you use the past as a learning tool or to get scared? Don’t use it to slow down your progress. Remember the achievements that led you to your best moments and use it as a lever to lift the rocks that are on the road.
The World
The World is there to support you or to sink you. Accept it calmly and with patience. Take advantage of the good and discard the bad. It’s as sure and inevitable as death. And like death learn to accept it.
Fear is a concept of the mind. Our mind makes that choice and gives meaning to everything. Fear can be overcome and that is why we love stories of fighting fear.
I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave is not the one who is not afraid, but the one who conquers that fear. — Nelson Mandela
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