There is a lot of fear in our world currently, some valid, some not.
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Fear is a natural feeling built into our bodies for survival. Fear stops us from getting eaten by lions or touching hot things, fear is good.
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But you have to understand that fear is a feeling, afraid is a choice.
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Things happen that are out of our control, all day, every day. On days like these and the ones in the coming months, most things will be out of our control. Governments are making decisions that affect us, livelihoods are being affected and routines are being severely interrupted. There is a natural, inherent fear that comes with that. That is fine.
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Feel that fear. Observe that fear. Understand that fear. Then make a choice…
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I talk frequently about always having two choices in every situation, love and fear (being afraid). This is the time, more than any, to choose love.
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Love for yourself first and foremost, love for the people closest to you and love for the strangers around you. Yes, I am talking about the airy, fairy, esoteric kind of love, that is important. Sitting there, choosing that feeling and then just being with it.
But I am also talking about choosing the very concrete and pragmatic kind of love. Make sure you are eating well, getting enough sun, meditating, laughing, singing and dancing, communicating openly with those around you, prioritising things that are ACTUALLY important and not worrying about the superficial bullshit that we usually put so much stock in.
Choose love and compassion for the people around you. The people that are struggling and being adversely affected, the people who are not as capable as you. Reach out to them, offer them help, support or just a willing ear.
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Choose love.
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This is an opportunity for us to practice a new way of acting, towards ourselves and the people around us.
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Use this opportunity wisely.
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And if you are finding it hard to choose love, reach out, there are plenty of people who would be happy to help you.
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Much love,
