Conquering Your Fears and Anxieties
In response to fears and anxiety, many commentators talk about conquering, confronting, or overcoming these emotions in various ways. They speak of being fearless, avoiding worry about the future, overcoming uncertainty, and gaining wisdom when you conquer it. They urge you to resist or attack fear, sometimes by simply letting it go. You should also be self-reliant, and have no regrets when you act. Perhaps you can even have fun as a way to escape your fears.
Following are some quotes from individuals talking about confronting, conquering, or overcoming fear, drawn from the book: Over 100 Ways to Overcome Your Fear and Anxiety.
Being Fearless
“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’”
Eleanor Roosevelt, former First Lady of the United States from March 1933 to April 1945, 1884–1962.
“The secret of life is to have no fear; it’s the only way to function.”
Stokely Carmichael, Trinidad-born organizer in the Civil Rights Movement, 1941–1998.
“Nothing in the affairs of men is worthy of great anxiety.”
Plato, ancient Greek Philosopher and founder of the Academy in Athens, 428 BC — 384 BC.
Avoiding Worry about the Future
“What else does anxiety about the future bring you but sorrow upon sorrow?”
Thomas A Kempis, German-Dutch canon regular. Author of The Imitation of Christ, 1380–1471.
“I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today.”
William Allen White, American newspaper editor, politician, author, and leader of the Progressive Movement. 1868–1944.
“Fear keeps us focused on the past or worried about the future. If we can acknowledge our fear, we can realize that right now we are okay. Right now, today, we are still alive, and our bodies are working marvelously. Our eyes can still see the beautiful sky. Our ears can still hear the voices of our loved ones.”
Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese Buddhist monk and peace activist, 1926-present.
Overcoming Uncertainty
“Fear is often our immediate response to uncertainty. There’s nothing wrong with experiencing fear. The key is not to get stuck in it.”
Gabrielle Bernstein, American motivational speaker, life coach, and author, 1979-present.
“Fear is like a black cavern that is terrifying. Once you enter the cavern and explore it, you realize that you can get out of it, go through it and get out of it.”
Isabel Allende, Chilean writer, 1942-present.
Gaining Wisdom
“To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.”
Bertrand Russell, British philosopher, logician, mathematician, historian, and Nobel Laureate, 1872–1970.
GINI GRAHAM SCOTT, Ph.D., J.D., is a nationally known writer, consultant, speaker, and seminar leader, specializing in business and work relationships, professional and personal development, social trends, and popular culture. She has published 50 books with major publishers. She has worked with dozens of clients on memoirs, self-help, popular business books, and film scripts. Writing samples are at www.changemakerspublishingandwriting.com.
She is the founder of Changemakers Publishing, featuring books on work, business, psychology, social trends, and self-help. The company has published over 150 print, e-books, and audiobooks. She has received national media exposure for her books, including appearances on Good Morning America, Oprah, and CNN.
Scott is active in a number of community and business groups, including the Lafayette, Pleasant Hill, and Walnut Creek Chambers of Commerce. She does workshops and seminars on the topics of her books.
She is also the writer and executive producer of 10 films in distribution, release, or production. Her most recent films that have been released include Driver, The New Age of Aging, and Infidelity.
She received her Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, and her J.D. from the University of San Francisco Law School. She has received five MAs at Cal State University, East Bay, most recently in Communication.