biology-fear-cells-colorful-blue-green-orange

The Biology of Fear

Today I want to talk about the biology of fear and how it affects us. Sometimes fear can be unavoidable, such as when you face a life-threatening situation; for example, encountering a bear during a hike in the woods. Unfortunately, the fear I have observed most in other people is self-perpetuated. They were told by other sources, i.e. the media, relatives, etc., that they should be afraid. For example, they hear on the news that the economy is in a recession and getting worse. They fear they will lose everything even though there are no signs in their lives to show that the recession will affect them. For your improvement and growth, you must learn to live by faith, not fear.

Fear in Biology

Scientists have shown that our bodies are made up of single cells which have combined with trillions of other cells to form the human body. Each cell functions similarly to our bodies; they think, eat, react to stimuli, expel waste, etc. It was first thought that the nucleus of the cell controlled it but studies have shown that the membrane is the actual brain of the cell. It is the membrane that reacts to different stimuli.

The two categories of survival mechanisms our cells have adapted are protection and growth. Cells gravitate toward nutrients and retreat from toxins. Moving toward life-sustaining stimuli characterizes growth and away from life-threatening stimuli characterizes protection. The membrane opens for nutrients allowing the cells to feed but becomes hard and closes in the presence of toxins.

Creating Energy

Scientists have also discovered that the two mechanisms cannot operate at the same time. A cell in protection mode cannot grow. (Lipton, et al., 1991) When cells are growing, they are not only expending energy but also creating it. Living a life of sustained fear (protection mode) inhibits the creation of energy needed to sustain life.

biology-fear-pink-purple-cell-round-nucleus
https://unsplash.com/@halacious

The biology of fear shows that fear creates stress, and the more stress you put on your body, the more cells that shift to protection mode. By eliminating the stress in your life you will bring your body back to a neutral state. Do we want to remain in a neutral state? No, we want to grow and thrive. In order to live life to the fullest and become the best you, eliminating stress is not enough. You must live your life in a happy, loving way that provides you with complete fulfillment. It will stimulate your growth processes. You do this by choosing to live your life in faith and eliminating fear.

Short-Term Fix

The protection mechanism is not designed to be activated for a long time. In the example of encountering a pair, you would experience the threat and activate the flight, fight, or freeze response. Once the bear moves on and doesn’t attack, you would return to normal and have quite the story to tell. Living your life in fear chronically elevates the stress hormones and inhibits your growth as a person.

Individual cells combined into a community react to the prevailing thoughts and beliefs they are fed. We as humans cannot grow as a community as long as a vast majority of people live in perceived fear. An example of this is the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Before the tragedy of 9/11, the U.S. was growing and thriving. After that fateful day, the population was placed in a state of fear. Terrorism took hold, and we waited for the next attack. The population went into protection mode, and growth ground to a halt.

What About You?

The biology of fear is an interesting topic. Do you live by fear or faith? Faith is the only way you can grow and improve your life. Look inside and see what fears are holding you back. Are they perceived, or are they real? What impact do they have on you and those around you? You can control your fears and take your life back. Turn to faith and regain control over how you live. You and only you decide how your life will turn out. The first step is releasing your fears.

“We have nothing to fear but fear itself!”

~ President Franklin D. Roosevelt

Cites

Lipton, Bruce H. The Biology of Belief: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter & Miracles. Hay House, Inc., 2016.

https://unsplash.com/@halacious

https://unsplash.com/@nci

windshield-mentality-car-Mercedes-hands-steering-wheel

WindShield Mentality

So often, our thoughts are centered around the past and the future. For personal improvement, you should spend the majority of your time focused on today. Think about what you’re doing right this minute. What can you accomplish today? This is called windshield mentality.

Get A Printable and An Editable Planner For Free. The Planner Includes A Gratitude Pad And Journaling Pages. Also A 12 Month Fillable Calendar.

Windshield Mentality

Windshield mentality is looking at what is in front of you. When you are driving a car, you look at what is in front of you through the windshield. Most of your time is spent concentrating on what is happening now. Only a small amount of time should be spent looking too far ahead or what is behind you. It is only what is directly in front of you that counts.

I first heard of windshield mentality when a Clemson University football player was interviewed after a tough game. The team didn’t play well yet still won the game. When asked about the team’s performance, the player responded by saying they had already forgotten about it. Coach Dabo Swinney teaches them windshield mentality. They don’t look at the past or future, only what is directly ahead.

Your Past Does Not Define You

You cannot improve yourself by focusing on the past. It will keep you where you are. Your experiences in the past have gotten you to where you are today. You can never go back and change your past. It is gone, never to return. For example, football players cannot do anything about their poor performance. They cannot go back and replay the game.

Your past does not define you. Whatever happened, happened, and it cannot be changed. Develop a windshield mentality and begin getting ready for the next game. What can you do today to improve yourself?

windshield-mentality-boy-stairs-looking-first-step
https://unsplash.com/@tateisimikito

Do Not Worry About The Future

Focusing on the future only leads to anxiety. The future is unclear, and there are many factors you cannot control. Do not worry about it. If the football players begin looking too far into the future and worrying about playing poorly, they will not be ready for the next opponent.

What can I do today? You will be asking yourself this question if you have a windshield mentality. Remove all anxiety by controlling your future. Decide what your future will be and put the work in today to ensure it.

Set Your Goals

I am a big proponent of setting goals. Goals are what you will accomplish in the future. The negative side of setting goals is the anxiety created when it doesn’t look like you will complete them. The most important part is the method of accomplishment, not the goal itself.

if you are working on the method today, your goal will be attained. There might be a few tweaks along the way, but that is normal. You might even have to change your method altogether. Set your goals, develop your method/plan, and focus on your method/plan. Develop a windshield mentality and work on what you can control today.

Do You Have A Windshield Mentality?

What do you focus on, the past, the future, or today? Remember that whatever happened in the past is gone and does not define you. Do not waste time worrying about the future and events out of your control. Focus on the things that you can control.

I appreciate everyone who takes the time to visit my site and read my blogs. Don’t forget to like, comment, and follow.

Cites

https://unsplash.com/@jerrykavan

https://unsplash.com/@tateisimikito

Tips To Beat Anxiety

Today I want to give you some tips to beat anxiety. This post is directed towards the younger people who are just tasting adulthood for the first time. I have two daughters, one just graduated, and the other is in her last semester of college. I see what they are going through as they transition into adulthood.

Get A Printable and An Editable Planner For Free. The Planner Includes A Gratitude Pad And Journaling Pages. Also A 12 Month Fillable Calendar.

People in their 20’s, both male and female, can experience a lot of anxiety. You are just beginning your life as an adult, and your future is unknown. Breaking into your career field or starting a business are anxious times. I hope the following tips to beat anxiety will help.

If you are experiencing extreme anxiety or depression, please seek out the help of a professional.

Tips To Beat Anxiety

Working outside of your chosen career and waiting to get hired by the right company is worrisome. Embrace this time and know that your shot is coming.

Take control of your life. Don’t wait for things to happen; make things happen. Go and get it done! You have more control than you think.

Connect with God to provide you with strength. Grow your faith to understand that you will have what you want.

Have a plan and work towards accomplishing it every day. Trust in your plan and continue to make improvements.

Understand that you are not alone. Everyone has experienced what you’re going through.

More Tips

Be receptive to praise. If you are told that you are good at what you do, receive the compliment and embrace it. For business owners, ask your client to write a review for you. It is not only for potential clients to read but for you to see how good you are.

Stop beating yourself up! You have accomplished many things so far. You are doing the right things; the timing is not within your control. The results will come in due time.

Seek out mentors who have gone through the same experiences you are going through. Ask them how they overcame the obstacles that were in front of them.

tips-beat-anxiety-tree-calm-water
https://unsplash.com/@fcornish

Even More

As well, find peers that you can talk with. Share your story, and listen to theirs. It is easier to go through these anxious times with others. You are not alone.

Stay in your world and focus on yourself. Don’t concern yourself too much with what is going on in the world. You have very little, if any, control over it. Let God handle it.

Begin with the end in mind. Know that six months from now your life will be better. In one year, five years, etc., you are living your dream. Keep working on it daily.

Think about what you can control today.

Read! Books are a great way to understand why you are feeling anxious.

Last Ones

Journal. Writing can be relaxing and calm your mind. Write whatever comes into your mind. Just let it flow.

Spend some time daily in meditation and prayer. God will speak to you. Ideas will flow, and you will create your future in your mind.

Close your eyes and visualize a vivid picture of your future. Feel it as if it is happening now and is natural. It is the person you are.

Don’t forget to ask God for what you want. I see prayers answered all of the time.

I hope these few tips to beat anxiety will help. Starting anything at any age is an anxious time, and every little bit can help. Don’t let worry and doubt prevent you from becoming the person you are meant to be. You were born for greatness!

Cites

https://unsplash.com/@anniespratt

https://unsplash.com/@fcornish

Quotes on Faith To Keep You Moving Forward

Going through some of my old posts, I came across one I wrote early on about the anxiety that the current pandemic has caused. I believe anxiety is predominantly caused by the unknown. You don’t know what life is going to be like in the future. Is this just a snapshot of what is to come? Will we have to wear masks and continue social distancing for years to come? Will this virus mutate into something more deadly? All these unanswered questions can create fear and panic within you. How do you handle the situations that occur in life? I hope these quotes on faith will keep you moving forward.

 Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith.
~ Steve Jobs

Doubt is a pain too lonely to know that faith is his twin brother.
~ Khalil Gibran

Join the team. Subscribe to my email list.

It’s lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believed in myself.
 ~ Muhammad Ali

Faith does not eliminate questions. But faith knows where to take them.
~ Elisabeth Elliot

Faith Quotes For Growth

If you have been following some of my blog posts, then you are familiar with the term faith over fear. Faith is what gives me the confidence that I can handle any situation. Faith gives you the confidence that everything will turn out alright. You know that it will work out in your favor. Therefore, you don’t worry about any negative things that happen along the way. Faith is what keeps those irritating “Doubt Demons” locked in their little dark spaces. No matter how bad things are today, you know that tomorrow is a new day. Tomorrow can be the day when things take a turn for the better.

50/50 Chance They Would Die

Faith builds your confidence. Fear tears it down. To accomplish great achievements you must carry faith with you. As you begin a new venture it can seem overwhelming, almost impossible. To turn it into a reality you will need confidence in yourself and everyone helping you. Everything is possible with faith.

 There are many talented people who haven’t fulfilled their dreams because they over thought it, or they were too cautious and were unwilling to make the leap of faith.
~ James Cameron

In 1969 we sent three astronauts to the moon. Two of the astronauts, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed and walked on the moon. Michael Collins flew the command capsule. This was a phenomenal feat. When they were given the “green light” to launch in July 1969, many scientists and experts thought we were years away from being ready. It took a lot of faith and confidence from the astronauts, engineers, scientists, and mathematicians to proceed on this historic event. Experts only gave them a 50 percent chance of making it back alive. Now that’s faith and it led to the famous quote below.

 You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.
~ Mahatma Gandhi

July 20, 1969

Faith vs Fear

If the people that were involved in the moon landing had focused on their fears, that event would have never happened. Faith and fear are the same things, a choice. You can choose fear and do nothing or you can choose faith and accomplish great things. Fear will keep you right where you’re at, in your comfort zone. Faith will give you the confidence to control your fears and succeed. When you make that decision to change your life, see the outcome that you want, and have faith that it’s going to happen. Does that mean there won’t be obstacles along the way? No, but faith will get you through them. Focusing on your fears will have you turning around and going back to your old, comfortable life.

God, our Creator, has stored within our minds and personalities, great potential strength, and ability. Prayer helps us tap and develop these powers.
~ A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe.
~ Voltaire

An Inspirational Woman

I recently read a blog post that I will link here. I found this post both powerful and inspirational. This young lady has been through financial struggles and just recently got a good job that she enjoys. She is grateful for everything she has but has been thinking about also starting a business. Being grateful is a key factor because if you are not grateful for what you have, how do you expect to be rewarded with something better. I found it inspirational because she set a goal (employment) and conquered her obstacles (financial struggles). She climbed to the top of the mountain but is now seeing a larger mountain to climb. I believe she will tackle this goal with faith, conquer her fears, and do very well.

My faith helps me understand that circumstances don’t dictate my happiness, my inner peace.
~ Denzel Washington

 Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strengths.
~ Charles H. Spurgeon

6 Basic Fears

There are many fears in our minds. The six basic fears that will cause you to fail are:

  1. Poverty
  2. Criticism
  3. Ill Health
  4. Loss of Love
  5. Old Age
  6. Death

Focusing on the fear of poverty will only bring you more debt. Instead, have faith that your financial struggles will end. This will bring about ideas on making more money, getting a promotion, etc.

The fear of criticism is what stops most people from changing their lives. You can be so afraid of what people will think and say about you that you will never begin to change your life. If you are scared of criticism then you value others’ opinions more than you value your dreams. Have total faith in what you are doing.

Fear of contracting COVID 19 has stopped many people in their tracks. Especially at the beginning when many people didn’t want to or couldn’t leave their house. I can understand that. This virus is real and people have died. Have faith that we will beat the disease and return to our normal lives. This will allow you to move forward and accomplish your goals. It will provide you with the inspiration you need to find a way to succeed.

 Worrying is arrogant because God knows what He’s doing.
~ Barbara Cameron

 Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light.
~ Helen Keller

The Negativity Focus

How do you continue or begin to have faith when we are constantly surrounded by fears. We are inundated with negativity every day. The media focuses on negative news more than positive news. Why? Negative news plays on your fears. Fears equal viewers and viewers equal money. The media plays on your fears to keep you watching. If you don’t believe me, live in Florida during hurricane season. If one computer model out of 50 shows it making landfall, that’s the one they focus on.

Staircase

From Fear To Faith

Building your faith is a matter of changing your mindset from negative to positive. A positive mindset is a growth mindset. It doesn’t focus on fears, only on faith. Speaking positive affirmations every day will grow your mind. You will replace all your fears and self-doubt with faith and self-confidence. Everything that you hear or say is taken in by your conscious mind and you believe it. If all you hear is negative information about the world that is what you will perceive as reality. Positive affirmations will change your thoughts which are stored in your subconscious mind. Anything you picture in your mind your subconscious will turn it into a reality. Therefore, it is only through positive affirmations and visualization that you can control your fears and change your life. Here are some examples.

  • I deserve all the great things that happen to me.
  • My body is healthy.
  • Abundance flows to me because I am open to receive it.
  • I am moving forward and becoming better every day.
  • I have great relationships with all my family members.
  • My businesses are successful and allow me to help many people.
  • I treat people with kindness and joy.

These are just a few examples and you can tailor your affirmations to your situation. Remember to be grateful for what you have and give thanks every day. Always repeat your daily affirmations with love and joy. They must come from a happy place in your mind.

 To have faith is to trust yourself to the water. When you swim you don’t grab hold of the water, because if you do you will sink and drown. Instead, you relax and float.
~ Alan Watts

Final Thoughts

Are your fears holding you back? Are you going to live with a negative fearful mind or a positive mind full of faith? Do you believe you have a growth mindset? If you haven’t joined my email list yet, click on the blue-button above. You will be able to receive my newsletters, e-book, courses, etc. You can find everything you need to grow your self-confidence.

All Aboard

“This Train Is Moving on, You Can Get on, You Can Get off, But the Train Keeps Moving on! We Are Going to the Top of the Mountain!”

This article may include affiliate links. www.inspirechief.com is a participant of the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. http://www.inspirechief.com participates in other affiliate programs and receives commissions when purchases are made through the links. This is at no extra cost to you.

Episode 3: Overcoming Anxiety Today

Welcome to Episode 3: Overcoming Anxiety Today. We are definitely in an anxious time in our lives with the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a time of uncertainty and I don’t know about you but for me, it is difficult to find the facts about what’s really going on. One news agency reports one thing and three more reports something totally opposite. One day we’re “flattening the curve” and the next day this is something that’s going to last for years. I’m as confused as everyone but unlike a lot of people, it doesn’t cause me anxiety.

Join my team!

Overcoming Anxiety Today

I believe in faith over fear. I believe that the pandemic will end sooner rather than later; that businesses will open and the economy will flourish; that sporting events will begin and stadiums will be packed. The anxiety that has been created by this pandemic is based on uncertainty or fear. The anxiety is usually worse than the actual event.

How can we deal with this anxiety? How does this affect us or our journey to success? First, it’s all about control. As I said in my welcome post, I am the CEO of ME Enterprises. I control what happens to me, the thoughts that I think, and my actions. You are in total control of you, you control what you are thinking, the choices you make, and your actions every day.

Photo by Korhan Erdol

I can’t control the things that are going on outside of me. You can’t control the things that are going on outside of you, so don’t worry about them. Don’t allow the news to affect you, you can’t control politicians, and you can’t control the weather. You have 100 percent control over you and that’s the only thing that you should be focusing on. I remember hearing someone say, “If you want to change the world, begin with changing you.”

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed Episode 3: Overcoming Anxiety Today. Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts. If you have any tips on not giving up I would like to hear them. Subscribe to my email list by clicking on the button above and receive my checklist to keep you moving forward in attaining your goals.

If anyone would like to support this blog please click on the product icons if you need to purchase anything from Amazon. You can purchase whatever you want and I earn a small commission as long as you enter through my links. You will be supporting my blog and it will not cost you anything extra. I appreciate it and I am grateful to all my followers and readers.

All Aboard!!

“This Train Is Moving on, You Can Get on, You Can Get off, But the Train Keeps Moving on! We Are Going to the Top of the Mountain!”

This article may include affiliate links. http://www.inspirechief.com is a participant of the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. http://www.inspirechief.com participates in other affiliate programs and receives commissions when purchases are made through the links. This is at no extra cost to you.

Anxiety (COVID-19)

Anxiety (COVID-19. We are definitely in an anxious time in our lives with the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a time of uncertainty and I don’t know about you but for me, it is difficult to find the facts about what’s really going on. One news agency reports one thing and three more reports something totally opposite. One day we’re “flattening the curve” and the next day this is something that’s going to last for years. I’m as confused as everyone but unlike a lot of people, it doesn’t cause me anxiety. Not a lot has changed for me since the pandemic started and we have been in lockdown. I work from home so that wasn’t a change. My children are away in college so I haven’t turned into a home school teacher. My gym is closed but I have plenty of exercise equipment in my garage so I continue to work out. My wife is home all day as well and I haven’t woken up with her standing over me holding a pillow in front of my face. I can have a tendency to get on her last nerve, as my mom used to say to me. The one thing that I really miss is our weekly date night where we walk to the local restaurants and enjoy a meal. We still have the date night but now we have to call in our order, pull up outside, have them bring our food out, and take it home, it’s just not the same.

anxiety-covid-19-couple-wearing-masks-sipping-mikshake
Date Night Now!!

I sympathize with everyone that had to begin working from home, learning from home, and not knowing when their office or school will open up again. I particularly sympathize with the people who had to close their businesses or could remain open but saw a significant drop in their business. It is a very uncertain time in that we don’t know what our society will look like when the pandemic ends. Will jobs be cut as employers try to recoup lost profits? Will sports resume and bring back jobs for the concession workers, security, and ticket scanners? My friend who watches sports 24/7 told me the other day that he just watched a cherry pit spitting contest. He has it bad. In case you were wondering, the winning spit was 47 feet!

anxiety-covid-19-man-mask-no-fear-painted-on-wall
Photo by Korhan Erdol on Pexels.com

I believe in faith over fear. I believe that the pandemic will end sooner rather than later; that businesses will open and the economy will flourish; that sporting events will begin and stadiums will be packed. The anxiety that has been created by this pandemic is based on uncertainty or fear. The anxiety is usually worse than the actual event. As I’ve said before, I have a fear of heights but I jumped out of perfectly good airplanes in the Army. The anxiety that I felt standing up in the airplane before the jump was much greater than when I jumped/fell/was pushed out the door. When I played football, the anxiety before the game in the locker room was much greater than when the game started. The first time you hit somebody all the nerves go away. I remember one time that I was at an amusement park and my friends wanted to ride the roller coaster. That was the last thing that I wanted to do but I went with them. The anxiety that I had standing in line was so great that I thought I would pass out. The worst part was the slow climb to the top of the coaster. After we started the descent it really wasn’t that bad. Not nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be in my mind. Now, I didn’t want to do it again but at least I could check that off the old bucket list.

anxiety-covid-19-roller-coaster-at-night
Photo by Albin Berlin on Pexels.com

How can we deal with this anxiety? How does this affect us or our journey to success? First, it’s all about control. As I said in my welcome post, I am the CEO of ME Enterprises. I control what happens to me, the thoughts that I think, and my actions. You are in total control of yourself, you control what you are thinking, the choices you make, and your actions every day. I can’t control the things that are going on outside of me. You can’t control the things that are going on outside of you, so don’t worry about them. You can’t control the news, you can’t control politicians, and you can’t control the weather. You have 100 percent control over yourself and that’s the only thing that you should be focusing on. I remember hearing someone say, “If you want to change the world, begin with changing you.” There is a great speech you can find on YouTube by Admiral William H. McRaven entitled “If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.” If making your bed makes you feel better, then go make it. That is a success and that will bring more success to you. It is something that you can control whether you do it or not. Something else that you can control is what you watch or listen to. If the news is making you more anxious, turn it off. Have faith that we will come out of this pandemic better than we went in.

anxiety-covid-19-cross-town-mountain
Photo by Saulo Zayas on Pexels.com

Adversity creates opportunity. The adversity of the pandemic has opened up numerous opportunities for people. People are exercising more. I see more families going on walks together, people are able and have the time to sit down together at the dinner table. For me, I began this year by saying I will get better every day. My life will be better than it was before when the world goes back to normal. The slowdown in my other business has afforded me the opportunity to research and open up this new online business and begin my blog. It has also opened up my mind to the endless possibilities that are out there for all of us. I am a Christian and believe in the power of God. I believe that I was led to create Lessons Learnt by God. God has provided me the opportunity to pass on my experiences in life through this blog. If you believe in a higher power, know that they are in control of what happens in the world and that everything is going to be better. That doesn’t mean that once the pandemic ends that everything will be perfect and bad things won’t happen again. It means that, just like this and everything that’s happened in the past, we will get through it and become better.