Why Study This Mantra...

You will learn how to get over your fears by going through them. Overcome them; not be overrun by them. Conquer this, and you can conquer anything!
 

Introduction 

We must all be the writers of our own destiny. But we can't control our lives if fear is controlling us.

This month, you will learn to befriend your fears on a daily basis. To take ownership over them. You will overcome one large fear.

Before you begin...

Before you start these practices and challenges, take a moment to rate yourself on this mantra. Give yourself a score from 1-10 (10 being the highest). 

Do this again at the end of a month of practices and challenges. How much have you grown?

The Practices

Daily Practices

 

Today I will recognize fears that won't truly hurt me are just "paper tigers." I will not ignore or suppress them today. I will name them. I will befriend them. I will turn to them and say, "I'm right here with you."

This will lessen them. This will call on and help me get in touch with the bold, wise part of me. It will help me act from confidence rather than fear. It will help me act not OUT of fear, but IN SPITE of it.

When anxiety strikes today, I will tell myself: “I’ve got this. I’m going to get this. I’ve been here before, and I can do this.”

Monthly Challenge

Handshake Your Fear

Identify one thing this month that's scary to you, and that you wish you could conquer. One thing that you knew if you could just muster up enough courage to charge your way through it, you could end that fear forever.

Next, create a plan for how to make that breakthrough this month. You may wish to expose yourself to it gradually and incrementally, but this may depend on you and your fear. Be sure your plan includes the following elements:

1. Before you begin, do some free writing around your thoughts and attitudes about the fear. You may do this in your journal.
2. Be on the lookout for faulty thinking. Where are you perceiving more of a threat than actually exists? What would a friend say to you if they attempted to talk you out of it?
3. Take note of your physical response to the fear. This is where much of the "tackling" happens!

Finally, execute your plan! Two things are important here:

1. You feel safe. Never take on more than you can manage. Account for this in your plan.
2. You feel ready. If you don't, ask yourself what would get you there and adjust your plan.

It may help to get someone who cares about you to help you on this journey. The most helpful scenario would include a friend who regularly deals what whatever you're scared of. Watching them deal with it first is a great start!

The Reasoning

For a definitive look at this month's mantras and practices, including what philosophers, theologians, psychologists, and scientists throughout history have thought, taught, and advocated, click below.