Putting Your Fears in the Back Seat

I’ve felt so many feelings in the last week: hope, despair, anger, frustration, anxiety, doubt, disbelief, relief. You may have been right there with me.

No doubt those feelings will resurface as we face continued uncertainty and tension. (Oh yeah, and there’s a pandemic looming out there too.) There’s still so much work to be done.

My fear, anxiety, and doubt aren’t my enemies. I’ve learned to treat them like a scared child, making sure that they feel seen and heard, and showing them compassion. They are working so hard to try and protect me.

But they aren’t allowed to be in charge.

I’m putting what matters most to me in the driver’s seat. My fear and my worry are invited to come along for the ride (there’s really no stopping them). But they aren’t allowed to take the wheel. 

Instead, here’s the question I’m asking myself: How will I let love lead?

For me, letting love lead means showing love to myself and my people—my family, my friends, my clients. It means taking exquisite care of tender hearts. It means showing up in service for my community and for justice, and looking for ways I can make love shine brighter in the world.

Knowing what value is guiding me helps me pay attention when my big feelings start to pull me away from my truth, threatening to veer me off course.

And so I ask: What will lead YOU? What value do you want to put in the driver’s seat? Hope? Justice? Truth? Gratitude?

Take a moment to decide what will lead you. Reflect upon what that looks like.

Then hand it the keys and let it decide where the car goes. 

Your uncomfortable feelings are invited to come along. Let them know that you see them and hear them, but gently remind them that they aren’t in charge. Toss them some snacks and let them take a nap. They may be relieved to have a rest.

You’ve got this. Your heart has got this. It knows how to carry your forward.

If you’d like some support with putting your values in the driver’s seat and quieting your fears, I can help! Click here to learn more about coaching, or contact me here to set up a free call to learn more.