Fear vs. Pain
This is a simple distinction I’ve found helpful.
Fear does not equal pain.
Fear is a real monster. It’ll cause all kinds of problems, untold problems, based on things that are untrue.
Pain is different thing entirely. It can be very uncomfortable, but it’s real.
Often of course, fear relates to pain. The threat of pain.
When confronted with fear, anxiety, worry, recall the distinction. Pain and fear are not the same.
Fear is like pain that’s a choice.
Ask yourself, when afraid: Is there actual pain?
Pain can be unbearably strong, but it always carries an aspect of necessity and truth. It comes and grows and fades naturally.
Fear easily takes on a character of compulsion and delusion. The mind begins churning on itself, fear simply becoming its own fuel.
What will come tomorrow? We don’t know. Almost certainly, it won’t look like what expect, and almost certainly, it won’t be what fear is telling us.
So, check in with right now. Fear threatens pain. But what is the pain right now. Deal honestly with it. Perhaps you’ll find the present pain is not that great. A cause for appreciation and gratitude!
Life can’t be lived without pain. But it can be lived without fear.
Fear is unnecessary.
Prudence, care, a regard for consequence — all these are doable without fear.
Before This: Scepticism
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