Releasing Fear during the July 2018 Lunar Eclipse

The time to stop running is now. Fear will always be there gnawing  at your mind until you turn around and say enough is enough, I want my power back!

Fear and I have been doing a terrible tango as of late. I am a chronic worrier, but after the conception of my third child, the worrying started escalating into terrible bouts of severe anxiety.  My worst fear during pregnancy? A pre-term baby due to a stressed-out mama. Truly, I suffered in silence. My husband and my therapist were the only people who really knew how deeply my anxiety was affecting me. I felt like I was being held together by a single bobby pin. My OBGYN’s candid thoughts? Just take a zoloft or mood-stabilizing medication. One teensy catch, however, there are some possible horrific side effects that could include a major heart defect. And I thought my anxiety had peaked!

A sidenote: If I cannot have a margarita, Ativan, or both during my pregnancy, then my growing baby cannot have Zoloft. That was the last conversation about my "fear-based" anxieties with the OBGYN. My doctors never even asked during my prenatal exams how I was doing or if I was coping with my anxiety. Please make sure you are billing my insurance for those diligent compassionate care talks. From the outside looking in, everything looked just how it should. That’s the way I wanted it. I did not want anyone to know the extent of my suffering. Except my therapist, I don’t feel bad for him. At least he gets paid to listen to my hormone-imbalanced ranting. Just a word to the wise, ignoring or storing away your fears does make them go away.

What am I so afraid of?

Becoming curious about your fears is a great first step to managing them.  I have started taking inventory of my fears. Once you bring your fears into awareness, you can make crucial and necessary life changes. You may think your only fears are flying or intimacy(for example), but as you contemplate those fears there are multiple others in the rear view mirror. I quickly realized my fears were many, varied, and ran very deep. Have you ever said to yourself  “I’m fine”. Well, the more you say it to yourself the more you start to realize you are certainly "not fine”.

Here is where the real work begins. Once your fear patterns are established(journaling or writing is helpful), you are ready to eradicate fear. The only way to deal with fear is to face it...head on. I like thinking about it from a warrior perspective. You are a SPIRITUAL WARRIOR. Look at your fear. Be curious about it and even talk to it(just not in public). Only by becoming curious do we get a chance to know fear and thereby transforming it into positive life enhancing energies. Fear can become one of our greatest allies and teachers.

Personally, I was tired of running from my best friend fear. I was sick and tired of being afraid. Fear has been keeping me from my higher self, my life goals, worldly adventures, and more importantly it was keeping me from speaking my truth. Speaking your truth means that you are living the most authentic version of yourself. Do you have the courage to face your internal dialogue? What illusions or lies are  you telling yourself? Are you being your authentic self? If not, this is your wake up call. Time is trickling away and you cannot get it back once it is gone. The time for action is NOW.

The number one thing fear is robbing from me is the joy of living in the moment and my peace of mind.

Fear is clearly not your friend, but maybe it should be. You know the old adage keep your friends close and your enemies closer? That is how you should treat fear. Welcome him into your home. Offer him tea and crumpets. He does not know that you train jiu jitsu and conceal carry*wink wink*. The universe always knows when you need a helping hand. I came across a book while scrolling Amazon entitled My Friend Fear by Meera Lee Patel. This book has opened up my world on how you should be treating fear. If fear has you constantly tapping from a rear-naked choke then you should read it too! The artwork is delicious, the quotes are thoughtful, and the wisdom encouraging.

If you believe, all things are possible.

This Friday, July 27th is a Lunar Eclipse and it is the perfect time for releasing your fears and embracing positive new beginnings. Here are a few tips to get you moving in the right direction for the big celestial event. 1.) Starving fear is a very logical and practical approach, however, it can leave a gaping hole that requires filling. You cannot simply remove the negativity and then go wash your hands with soap. Once the negativity of fear is quelled you must add something you want to become the primary inner voice. What do you put in the hole? Positivity and Prayer. The rainbow of it all is that when you talk your spiritual team listens. Miracles are everywhere. The point is you have to take responsibility for your fears and then take action! That’s right buttercup, to overcome your fears work as well as play is required.

The best pieces of advice for releasing fear are as follows:

Be consistent.
Meditation x 2 for 5 minutes a day or when possible.
Write down your fears and mentally replace the negative with the positive.
Surround yourself with positive quotes, affirmations, and people.
Buy some gratitude and mindfulness journals.
Be gentle and patient with yourself.
Slow down and enjoy the little things.
Practice becoming a good listener for yourself and others.
Play and have fun.

The ultimate way through fear? Love, faith, hope, courage, and prayer. You are divinely guided at all times...remember that! You CAN do this. Be sure to laugh and be patient with yourself. These fearful thought patterns did not get there overnight. Take lots of breaks, moments to recognize your progress, and be kind to yourself. Start with a daily gratitude journal until gratitude becomes second nature. Pray a lot(deity of your choosing). Listen more than you speak, especially to your own thoughts. Enjoy the sweet simplicity of living in the moment and use your fears to build your greatest strengths. Build an empire of empathy, compassion, kindness, happiness, joy, and inner peace. Do not allow anyone(especially yourself) to disturb your inner sanctuary. Be close to your fear. Run towards it. Sit with your fears until you know them inside and out. Only then will you find the answer to unlocking your spiritual and emotional freedom. Fear has as much power as you give it. During this powerful lunar eclipse, take back your freedom!