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SOULutions Newsletter, January 2009 Fear or Faith: We Get to Choose!  As a new year begins, many of us are facing some major challenges. Some of us have loved ones fighting the war in Iraq. Some of us have been "downsized" by financially strapped corporations, struggling to find new jobs in this troubled economy. Many people are facing serious illness without adequate health care coverage, as over 40 million people in this country have no insurance. Small businesses that have thrived in years past are closing their doors. During times like these the temptation to listen to our ego-based fear is understandable. Overwhelmed by the problems we are facing, we become either reactive or resigned. We react with strong emotions lashing out and making impulsive decisions. Or, we can become resigned and give way to depression in the face of uncertainty. Yet, an alternative exists. If we listen to the deeper calling within our hearts, our Essence, we can move past our fear to find our faith. It is precisely during these times of uncertainty that we most need to examine our values and consider the deeper, unique contribution that we can to make to this world. The call to which I refer is active faith. Active faith is taking bold action in the world with a willingness to surrender our ego-based fear and allow our Essence to shine through. It's getting out of our own way so that the divine Life within us can be lived through us. It's moving towards our ultimate destiny, the healing and the conscious evolution of our planet and Life itself. I believe, the best way for us to answer the call of active faith is for each of us to let the light within to shine by using our unique, individual gifts in service to our collective wholeness, as fully and consciously as we are able.   Consider, just consider…this light is now benevolently burning away many of the separating and alienating structures within our individual and collective egos to reveal even more of what really matters most to us. What if peace, joy and love for all became more the rule than the exception? I pray for that someday, sooner than later, when even the idea of war, prejudice and our perceived separateness from one another is completely unknown to schoolchildren everywhere. F.E.A.R. and F.A.I.T.H. F.E.A.R. False Evidence Appearing Real. Fear is almost always based on an illusion. We fear something that might happen, but doesn't really exist in the present moment. Think about it. The only thing that exists in each present moment is what our ego-mind thinks is real. Fear can seem so real until we take a moment to ask, "Is this happening right now?" If it is not part of the present moment, it isn't real.           F.A.I.T.H. Feeling Authentically Intimate with Truth & Hope. When we have faith, we know deep in our bones, that all challenges are only temporary. The truth is that even the worst things do not last. Our hope rests in learning to let go of what we’re clinging to and open ourselves to what is possible in the next moment or phase of the precious life that we are given. If we can remain authentically intimate with each present moment arising in us, with gratitude, compassion, consciousness and creativity, we are connected to the light. How to Find your Faith Even people with strong faith experience fear. Fear is an emotional reaction deeply wired into our brain. Fear evolved as a survival mechanism that triggered physiological reactions in our bodies for self-preservation. This survival instinct can sometimes get in the way in modern society where calm rational thought is the best survival tool. Neurological researchers tell us that when you are in the grips of fear, your I.Q. can drop as much as 40 points. To disengage from your fear, simply think of three things for which you are truly grateful. This moves your thoughts from your lower brain functions where you react at a primal level and takes you to your higher brain functions, where you can find your faith. In Wholeness, |
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