A good story. It captures our attention, draws us in, is compelling. Be it Mark Twain, “The Wizard of Oz’ in Technicolor, or the latest in office happenings, stories are the fabric of our daily consciousness.
So here is a powerful question to consider: What if fear is a story we tell ourselves?
When anticipating possible outcomes, future scenarios, or what might happen, are we telling ourselves different ‘endings to the story’? If we imagine accidents, shortages, poor health, rejection, loneliness, nothing changing or getting better, does this in fact create or reinforce fear?
What if instead, we told ourselves stories where things work out very well, even better than we had expected. How about we have our stories include delightful surprise at unanticipated good fortune, safety, and or provision.
If something has not yet happened, it’s a pretend story until it does.
In the face of fear, anxiety, or worry, we can envision a story with a great ending. Now it may not necessarily come true, but like a good bedtime story, it may help us relax, shift out of fear, and sleep better. Is this denial, fanciful avoidance, or is it one of the very purposes of stories?
Next time you find yourself worrying, ask: What if fear is just a story I tell myself?” Then tell yourself a different, not so scary story.
So here is a powerful question to consider: What if fear is a story we tell ourselves?
When anticipating possible outcomes, future scenarios, or what might happen, are we telling ourselves different ‘endings to the story’? If we imagine accidents, shortages, poor health, rejection, loneliness, nothing changing or getting better, does this in fact create or reinforce fear?
What if instead, we told ourselves stories where things work out very well, even better than we had expected. How about we have our stories include delightful surprise at unanticipated good fortune, safety, and or provision.
If something has not yet happened, it’s a pretend story until it does.
In the face of fear, anxiety, or worry, we can envision a story with a great ending. Now it may not necessarily come true, but like a good bedtime story, it may help us relax, shift out of fear, and sleep better. Is this denial, fanciful avoidance, or is it one of the very purposes of stories?
Next time you find yourself worrying, ask: What if fear is just a story I tell myself?” Then tell yourself a different, not so scary story.
