Fear Exposed

Fear. Fear binds us so close to ourselves that we become nearsighted. We are only able to focus an inch in front of our faces while we seek that which will ease the pain fear inevitably causes. Our self prescriptions vary depending on how we choose to handle our fear. We may want to escape or run away from our fear. We may want to sit with it because we find sadistic comfort in its familiarity. We may want to numb the pain it causes. The bravest of us look it in its ugly face and recognize it only becomes something that can choke us when we give it permission. We are more powerful than we think we are. May we react to the love we feel for people we care about instead of our fears of what they may or may not think of us. May love be the lens we look through - not the lens of fear that makes everything blurry and ugly. Why do we place these chains on ourselves? Why are we sometimes so convinced there is no other way to live? May we refuse to let fear distort our ability to see the beauty of creation and community that surrounds us and suffocate our ability to love.