Monthly Archives: July 2024

FearFighter: Crashing Fear with Strikes of Service

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What if the key to shattering your deepest fear lies in wielding the powerful weapon of compassion towards others?

When it’s Wednesday, me and a couple of friends regularly gather to have a time of exchanging of stories, prayer and feasting. After indulging in a feast of seafood delicacies like spicy raw marinated crab, garlic buttered prawns, sour fish head soup and many others, we opened our discussion with an activity to draw our biggest fears and our greatest loves.

Among the drawings, one interesting picture was that of a pre-school teacher whose greatest joy is being with her students, yet she fears that one day they might forget her.  Another friend revealed her fear of illness and her deep love for her family and physical activity, illustrated with sketches of barbells. One drew a snake, highlighting her paradoxical fear of snakes against her profound love for nature, trees and the moon. From the rest, despite the diverse fears shared—ranging from being bedridden and death to public speaking, sleeplessness and heights—majority in our group expressed a profound and common love for family.  While some expressed fear of losing their voice and feeling lost among many people, their great loves revealed a different side: one cherishes mangoes and avocados, while the other finds joy in music. As for me, I shared my biggest fear of failing and my deep love for inspiring and mentoring others.

Reflecting on these personal fears and loves, it’s clear that such fears can often paralyze us and hold us back from reaching our greatest potential. Yet, there’s an intriguing irony: many of our fears are closely tied to what we cherish most, as illustrated in our drawings. This connection reveals how our deepest anxieties and passions are intricately linked.

I remember whenever we would go to Lucky Plaza to connect with our fellow Filipinos, I often feel uneasy initiating a conversation with strangers, fearing rejection or that we won’t jive. Despite this discomfort, I would still end up pushing myself to engage because I know many of our kababayans need someone to talk to. My friends and I just wish to share our blessings even in small ways, like offering a bucket of Jollibee chicken joy to bring a smile to their faces.

Despite how overwhelming our fears may seem, there’s a powerful truth: what we love and are passionate about often have the strength to overshadow and overcome them. As illustrated in our drawings, what we hold dear can provide the courage and motivation to rise above our deepest anxieties, showing that our greatest loves have the power to outshine even our biggest fears.

This realization resonates strongly with 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”  Despite our fears, it is the strength of our love and passions that compels us to rise above them. This verse underscores that our divine gifts of love and power enable us to conquer our anxieties, demonstrating that what we cherish most can indeed outshine and overcome our greatest fears.

As we embrace the power of love and divine gifts to overcome our fears, we find reinforcement in 1 John 4:18:  “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.” By integrating this truth into our lives, we can further strengthen our resolve by utilizing acts of service as our weapon. In the daily arena of life, we strike fear with three powerful aspects of service rooted in love—empathy and connection, generosity and sacrifice, and encouragement and uplifting. These three strikes effectively knock out our fears, transforming our own anxieties and making a meaningful impact on those around us, embodying the perfect love that drives out fear.

Here Are 3 Strikes to Knock Out Our Fears!

Strike 1!  Empathy and Connection: Deepening Relationships.
Fear often arises from an inward focus—our insecurities, inadequacies, and uncertainties can dominate our thoughts. However, when we engage in acts of service rooted in empathy and connection, we step out of our comfort zones and begin to diminish the power of these fears. Empathy involves genuinely understanding and addressing the needs of others, which shifts our focus from our own worries to the well-being of those around us.

By reaching out and showing authentic care and concern, we strengthen our relationships and foster a sense of community and support. This active engagement in understanding others helps us move beyond our personal fears and anxieties. The act of connecting deeply with others not only builds meaningful relationships but also reveals that our fears lose their grip when we invest in the lives of those around us. In essence, empathy and connection become powerful tools that help us transcend our own insecurities and create a supportive network that benefits everyone involved.

Strike 2! Generosity and Sacrifice: Sharing Resources and Time.
Once we have deepened our relationships through empathy, the next step is to put those connections into action by sharing our time, resources, and energy selflessly. Generosity involves prioritizing the needs of others over our own, which reinforces our sense of purpose and value. By offering even small blessings, whether it’s a meal, a kind word, or a helping hand, we extend our support and make a meaningful impact. This act of giving not only alleviates our fears but also transforms our anxieties into positive actions, demonstrating how service rooted in love can effectively overcome our personal challenges. Through helping others, we gain new perspectives and realize that we can make a difference despite our own challenges. Often, serving others brings a profound sense of fulfilment and purpose that helps override our fear.

Strike3! Encouragement and Uplifting: Empowering Others.
Fear often makes us feel like we are losing ourselves, as it shakes our sense of identity and control. Yet, as Mahatma Gandhi wisely said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”  By focusing on empowering and uplifting those around us, we shift our attention from our own fears to the greater good, finding renewed purpose and strength in the process. Encouragement and uplifting others focus on providing support and motivation. By helping others overcome their own fears and challenges, we build resilience and confidence in both the giver and receiver. This aspect of service highlights how love can inspire and uplift, ultimately diminishing our own fears.

In summary, each of these three strikes serves as a powerful weapon in our fight against fear. By starting with Empathy and Connection, we deepen our relationships and shift our focus from personal insecurities. Generosity and Sacrifice then build on this foundation, as sharing our time and resources reinforces our sense of purpose and transforms our anxieties into positive actions. Finally, Encouragement and Uplifting empower both ourselves and others, showing how love and support can diminish even our deepest fears. Together, these three strikes create a formidable knockout punch, demonstrating that through acts of service rooted in love, we can conquer our fears and make a lasting impact on the world around us. By embodying these principles, we not only overcome our own fears but also inspire others to rise above theirs, fulfilling the truth of 1 John 4:18: “Perfect love drives out fear.” Indeed, love stands as the ultimate weapon to strike out fear and transform us from being fearful to fearless.

Here’s a glimpse of the Wednesday folks, transforming our fears to love.

Ready … Set … Go!

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Think Less, Just Start : Overcoming The Hurdles of Taking the First Step

“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” – Zig Ziglar

Taking the first step is often the most daunting challenge. Just like a crawling baby, every parent eagerly anticipates that pivotal moment when their child finally stands and takes those uncertain first steps. It’s a mix of apprehension, fearing they might stumble, and exhilaration, as they witness their child embarking on a journey of growth.

For what feels like ages, I’ve been toying around the idea of diving into coaching, training, or professional speaking. Empowering people to reach their fullest potential isn’t just a dream; it’s what drives me daily. It’s a passion I would pursue relentlessly, even if money were no object. I can picture myself at 100, still cheering people on, because to me, there’s no greater reward than helping people thrive and grow.

As passionate as I am about this dream, my fears are equally intense. The daunting question of where and how to begin has often left me paralyzed by self-doubt. Overwhelmed by fear, I’ve hesitated between wanting to start and worrying about my qualifications or skills. What if I’m not cut out for this? What if no one listens? Worst of all, what if I have nothing meaningful to say? These uncertainties have held me back, preventing me from taking that crucial first step forward.

I realized that these WHAT IF’s are my dream-killers.

SELF DOUBT – “What if I’m not cut out for this?”
The moment I decide to take that leap, impostor syndrome kicks in. The path ahead seems unclear, leaving me unsure of where to start or how to proceed. It’s easy to question my abilities, resources, and whether my goals are even achievable. These doubts can lead to hesitation and inaction, amplifying the impostor syndrome we often feel.

PERFECTIONISM – “What if I have nothing meaningful to say?”
I’ve always struggled with the need to have everything perfectly planned or executed from the start. This fear of not being perfect often leads to overthinking. The more I try to iron out every detail and anticipate every step, the more it prevents me from taking action. The more I worry about potential mistakes, the less likely I am to make a move at all.

FEAR OF FAILURE – “What if no one listens?”
Ultimately, my need for perfection and my self-doubt stem from my deepest fear—the fear of failure. Many people hesitate to start because they fear they might fail. The thought of not succeeding or making mistakes can be both intimidating and discouraging. Instead of facing potential disappointment, it’s often easier to avoid trying altogether. But by not trying, we rob ourselves of the opportunity to grow and succeed. The real failure is in never taking that first step.

Just as we use Google Maps to find our way to a destination, it’s crucial to set our starting point and re-center when we get lost. Similarly, recognizing these obstacles—self-doubt, perfectionism, and fear of failure—is the first step toward overcoming them. While they may seem overwhelming, I’ve realized that to move past these barriers, I need to shift my mindset and take intentional actions. By doing so, I can transform these dream-killers into stepping stones: Ready, Set, Go!

Ready – Overcoming Self-Doubt:
Get prepared by building confidence and self-belief.  To combat my self-doubt, I need to take the time to prepare myself mentally and emotionally. One way to do this is by acknowledging my strengths and reminding myself of past successes. It’s also important for me to seek out knowledge and skills that can bolster my confidence. By being ready, I reduce uncertainty and build a strong foundation to begin my journey.

Set – Tackling Perfectionism:
Set realistic goals and take manageable steps. Perfectionism can be paralyzing for me, so it’s crucial that I set realistic expectations and break tasks into smaller, achievable steps. I should focus on progress rather than perfection. It’s also important to remember the value of embracing my imperfections and allowing myself to make mistakes and learn from them. Recognize that starting doesn’t require perfection. Accept that initial efforts may not be flawless, but they are crucial steps toward improvement and learning. By setting clear, attainable goals, I create a pathway to action and reduce the pressure to be flawless from the start.

Go – Conquering Fear of Failure:
Take action and embrace the learning process. Fear of failure often holds me back, but I know the only way to overcome it is to TAKE ACTION. It’s crucial to accept that mistakes and setbacks are part of the journey. From here on, I should be prepared to embrace the learning process and view each step as a valuable experience. As I push myself to start, another important step is to seek support and feedback. Surrounding myself with a supportive network or mentorship lessens the fear. Sharing my aspirations and progress with others can offer encouragement, guidance, and constructive feedback, helping to build my confidence and momentum.

By going forward despite my fears, I build resilience and open myself up to the possibility of success.

As I reflect on overcoming self-doubt, perfectionism, and the fear of failure, I am reminded of the words from Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This verse assures me that with God’s strength, I can face any challenge, take the first step, and continue each stride moving forward, transforming obstacles into opportunities. By embracing readiness, setting achievable goals, and boldly stepping forward despite my fears, I am empowered to pursue my dreams with confidence. With faith as my foundation, I trust in God’s guidance and provision, knowing that He is with me every step of the way. As I journey onward, filled with hope and determination, I am ready to embrace the path ahead with courage and faith.