Fear Factor

“Fear is not only the precursor to anger and rage; but it is also the factor that limits contentment, happiness and success.”

Fear is an emotion that clearly represents how our mind creates our thoughts and how our thoughts create our emotions, in this case, fear. Fear is a protective emotion which arises when we face uncertainty and when we lack control. This is why Theory of Self-Relativity categorizes “Dependency & Reliance” and “Uncertainty & Lack of Control” as two of the 10-Enemies of self-improvement. Likewise, further reason “Control & Certainty” and “Independence & Self-Reliance” are categorized as two of the 10-Commandments for self-improvement.

When we are dependent on others and/or when we face uncertainties, we increase the potential for something to go wrong which in-turn increases our anxiety and stress. As the uncertainty remains unresolved, our anxiety and stress remain elevated and consequently, prolonged anxiety and stress commonly lead to frustration, helplessness and fear.

Fear is intended to make us aware of uncertainty and to force us into action in order to minimize uncertainty hence minimize potential threats and danger. However, fear, especially when based on cognitive-analysis, could also make us abstain from taking certain actions to change and improve our circumstances which could not only help to minimize our uncertainties, but in-turn it could improve them. Fear is intended to lead us into corrective action via fight-or-flight; however, as modern cognitive entities, due to the side-effects of our intelligence, we have introduced a third line of behavior in the form of “freeze.” Hence, instead of fight-or-flight in order to minimize uncertainty and danger, we end up freezing which lets things be as they are by exposing us to further danger and/or by preventing us from improving our lives.

Change your thoughts; change your feelings.