What Do We Do With Fear?

“Earth rejoices our words, breathing and peaceful steps. Let every breath, every word and every step make the mother earth proud of us.”

― Amit Ray

Breathe. If you do this with wisdom, fear turns into energy. If the message of fear is to act, there simply aren’t always easy goals presenting themselves.

But what you have to do is deal with it, or lose your potential for real growth. So here are a few thoughts about it.

1. The Five Minute Miracle. Specifically, do 60 seconds of deep, slow, diaphragmatic breathing, once an hour, at least 5 times a day.
2. The Morning Ritual. The first hour of the day should be a “diamond hour”, sixty minutes that belong to YOU, programming your biocomputer to be the person who can survive the storm, laugh at light, and provide shelter for the people you love.
3. SPECIFICALLY decide to become that new person, one who has real clarity and power as well as love and compassion. Decide to use the negative emotions to drive positive behaviors.

I find it fascinating that I started the “75 Hard” program this week. It is designed to show you every weakness in your basic functioning, and transform you into someone who can accomplish your dreams: which means escape suffering, embrace joy, and be of service. That requires abundance of physical, emotional, and financial resources.

THE FIRST THING YOU HAVE TO DO IS ADMIT THE DESIRE TO CHANGE, to not be a victim of circumstance, or your own emotions. Your other options are to line up behind someone who HAS that courage and clarity…or give up.

But the program is severe, and while I think anyone embracing it would be either really become a stronger more centered person…or is already a BMF.

But the program really is severe, as said:

Each day, for 75 Days you:

1) Exercise 2 times per day, minimum of 45 minutes each (one exercise session MUST be outside).

2) Commit to a diet that moves you in the direction of your health and fitness goals.

3) No alcohol.

4) Drink one gallon of water per day.

5) Read 10 pages of educational, self-improvement related non-fiction. YES.

6) Take a scantily clad selfie to see your physical progress. YES.

You do this for 75 days straight and if you miss one thing (even your selfie on day 74) you must start over on day one.

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I think that the “75 Hard” program is for people who want a hero-level challenge without going on a quest. But what about people who aren’t ready for something like that? Well…If I was such a person, I’d say “I’m not ready for that, but I wish I were. Let me try something less severe. It won’t have the same effects, but it will be enough to get me going.”

Such a person could try what I see called the “75 Soft” program. It is not as great a challenge physically, emotionally, or in terms of executive function…but everything is relative. Frankly, I think the program is a perfectly sound “Yellow Belt” level discipline, with the “75 Hard” being a Black Belt discipline.

• Eat well: Eat healthy foods and limit alcohol to social occasions
• Exercise: Do 45 minutes of exercise each day, with one day of active recovery per week
• Drink water: Drink three liters of water each day
• Read: Read 10 pages of a book each day

I would look carefully at the differences.

1. “Eat Well” is pretty good, but it would be useful to have a specific goal of increased energy, for instance. Limiting alcohol…well, it would be possible to say that ANY dinner is a “social occasion.” A lot of room for lying to yourself, so be careful.
2. 45 minutes of exercise, with one day off? That’s pretty damned solid. I like it, and anyone for whom this sounds challenging will find great growth thereby.
3. Drink water. Reducing the amount of water a bit is just fine. Its tough chugging water every 30–60 minutes. Not to mention all the pee breaks. Sheesh!
4. Read 10 Pages. This is only good for people who don’t read at all. If you already read fiction, I think there is NO good reason not to read self-help/growth/healing oriented material. In fact, the very discomfort so many feel, that STOPS them from reading self-help material is what we need to replace by a burning desire to KNOW, to GROW, and evolve. And to constantly seek mentoring here. So…I think this is a mistake, unless you don’t read at all.
5. The exclusion of the photograph is fascinating. There is no logistical or practical reason not to do it (for most people.) The problem is EMOTIONAL. Therefore, if you exclude it, be honest and say “I’m not strong enough for this…but I WILL be!” and do the Yellow-belt level, understanding that one of the things you want is to be strong enough that photographing yourself naked is a joy, whatever state your body is in. That you are GRATEFUL for your body, and the resources to document your journey.

That is what I would suggest to a student who was dealing with deep fear: invest that fear in action designed to transform you into a hero who is committed to SURVIVE, and GROW enough to escape suffering, embrace joy, and protect your loved ones.

No one is coming to rescue us. YOU are the hero in the adventure of your lifetime.

Wake up.

Namaste

Steve

www.realherosjourney(dot) com