There is a reason that FDR said “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”     He said this because, as we have witnessed in these past weeks, fear creates its own reality.  Above all, it creates more fear— a self-fulfilling prophecy.

In the words of Jesus of Nazareth: “Fear is useless.  What is needed is trust”  (some translations say “what is needed is faith.”)

What does fear feel like?  And how do we know we are in its grip?  And once we know, how do we turn it around?

CLUE 1: Fear is held in the body.

Whenever I listen to the godawful media worry or imagine the possible outcomes in the election I feel it in the pit of my stomach.  That the feeling. FEAR.

THAT is what fear feels like, at least for me.

CLUE 2: What I imagine.

When I am afraid I worry and imagine the worst
I am more easily manipulated
I obsess over polls
I work on the wrong things, I stall  or I get cynical or even give up

The Antidote: ACTION
For me, the best antidote to fear is action.  Action empowers–especially action based in insight and compassion.  Do what is mine to do.  Reach out and love.  Get outside.  Love Earth, our community, our place.  Love people who are not like me… who themselves are terrified.  Make a point to take very good care of myself.

Faith moves mountains… so let’s move a few.  Time to VOTE and then let’s get to work on renewing and restoring our communities and our beautiful life-giving planet.