’I am a prisoner of hope.’ ‘How about you? ‘
’When obstacles arise change your direction to reach your goal, not the decision to get there. ‘Why fear?

There is no denial that fear exists among us. Fear is real.

Fear can paralyze you, build you or break you. It is a real force to reckon with. It is universal.

People have driven themselves silly to achieve great feats because of fear of failure or fear of the unknown. Due to this, they have pushed themselves to the extremes just to ensure that they escape from that which they fear or to ensure that they achieve a certain goal.

In this case, fear is positive .Because had it not been for fear, may be they wouldn’t have achieved the targeted goal or built their empires.

But there are those who have failed to achieve their dreams due to fear as they panic or flee. Why?

They fear the outcome or consequences of their actions. They doubt themselves or the ability to deliver the required results .They believes that they are not good enough. This doubt usurps all their positive energy and sense of value, importance and make them down grade themselves and abilities .Fear then takes control of all their faculties and makes them believe what the false inner voice tells them about their down graded, unworthy self.

Fear makes all these false inner dialogues appear real! Any positive thoughts then get shattered. With this, their self image too crumbles and falls.

Fear can take a full life of its own. It can make the mind conjure up glossy weird images to appear real and convincing. All false but appearing true just because of fear.

People have been known to suffer from all sorts of imaginary known diseases and some have falsely believed of committing some of the most heinous crimes due to fear over and above any other possible explanation Fear can be destructive.

However, a certain amount of fear is good for our lives .It serves as a brake. It keeps us on the right tracks, saving us from our egos, forces us to halt, listen to our senses and conscience. In this case, fear acts as a disciplining factor. It forces us to gauge our activities.

Fear of failure can also be a motivator. It adds shiny finish to our work. It can compel us to push and pull a bit harder thus end up going the extra mile into the realm of the extraordinary.

Failure in itself is such a great teacher if only we could learn to take a critical look of our activities. There is so much to gain if we could spare time and find out why we have failed and accept the verdict then proceed to act on it by swallowing the bitter pills the experience provides. In such a case, failure is a great positive force .It humbles us and motivates us to try again and again until we find the right answer or method.

Failure also prunes our ego, our over -confidence and pride. It grounds us, reminds us of our mortality and earthly journey, mission, brotherhood and oneness .We shouldn’t fear failure. Failure can be a great blessing indeed.

We can confidently assert that we have all failed in something at sometime. Yes, the degree may vary .The most important thing is what we each do with that humbling experience- it is is what separates and distinguishes and puts us on the road. Failure is part and parcel of human development.

Take an example of a baby learning how to walk. Think about the countless stumbles and falls, and the many painful bleeding bruises the baby had to endure before he could walk. This is symbolic. It is nature’s way of teaching and preparing the baby for life ahead. The trials, challenges, the countless falls and bruises we all must endure as individuals on our road to success.

Failure is therefore an integral part of growth. It is part of Nature .We all need to embrace it.

We all know that the modern world is built on failure. Nothing great has ever been accomplished without some form of sacrifice, pain and countless humiliating failures.

The only thing to fear is our own self s .We shouldn’t be afraid of failure. Man’s great history rests on failure. Then why fear? Pick yourself up and chart the next course.

Qnet empowerment series