How do you overcome your fears?

Most people do not set out to overcome their fears. Few of us tally on our daily To-Do lists: "Conquer fear of spiders." It simply doesn't happen, although more of us should. I heard somewhere once (probably a movie) a beautiful definition of Bravery. They said, "Bravery is being afraid, but doing it anyway."

If we think back to our childhoods, to the things that little ones fear, these are things that most of us face often now, if not daily. Being alone. Sleeping in the Dark. Swimming without an inner tube. Jumping off the diving board. And there it is, the simplest answer.

Just jump off the diving board.

Many things in life that we fear there are genuine dangers behind them. Being victimized by crime or war. Losing our loved ones. Having a heart attack during our morning walk/run. Most of these things; nay- nearly ALL are out of our hands. We have absolutely NO control of them. It is something completely external to us. So it is rational to be concerned about these things...but if that fear begins to consume you, then it is time to take some steps toward conquering them.

Most fears come down to control. It is that simple. We all fear not being in control of our own lives and when these types of bad things happen, we've lost that control. Can you do anything to prevent them? Sometimes, so take those steps. If you're afraid for your health...be healthier and remind yourself daily: This banana is making me healthier. This walk is making me healthier. Then let the rest go. Do not dwell on the what ifs.

If you are afraid of being victimized, learn self defense; learn how to better protect your home and how to carry yourself with confidence; make common sense decision about where you take your dog at night to do his business. Then, let everything else go. Do not look at every stranger as a potential attacker. There's hardly a good way to make friends. Instead, stand up straight, pull your shoulder's back and lift your head up with a smile. If you are afraid- Do it anyway. Dive off that board. You've learned how, now do it.

Nike has probably the best slogan for any company I've ever encountered. "Just Do It." Don't spend your life thinking about things. DO THEM. Go into the reptile room at the local zoo- ask one of the caretakers to teach you a bit about them...how to handle them. Just do it. Learn how to treat spider bites, then instead of stomping on them or running away screaming, scoop them into a cup and deposit them in a bush outside. JUST DO IT. If the dark still unsettles you, work your way down from a lamp to a nightlight, a day or two at a time...then just keep an OFF flashlight beside your bed. JUST DO IT.

The way of children is the way of life. We can reassure them in so many things, but they rarely believe us until they just jump into the deep end and realize the DID learn how to swim. They stop fearing monsters when they sleep their first night without their teddy and realize...nothing ate them in their sleep. They stop fearing the roller coasters when after 3 seconds of screaming, they step off, enjoy the dizziness and realize- they lived through it.

Life doesn't come with a magic wand or a set of 'How-To's', and there is no magic pill. Anything you want you have to work for. Educate yourself and jump right in.