Fear.

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself" -Franklin Roosevelt

What is fear? is it the unconscious barrier that limits our thoughts, our desires? Perhaps it's the minds way of preventing itself from doing something irrational. However, fear is irrational. It can only control you as long as your mind is incapable of rationalizing and realizing that it does not exist- and is only a figment of our imaginations.

Fear molds our reality, limiting and constructing it to fears own will, and demanding allegiance, fueled by the idea that it cannot be controlled and hence- cannot fade away. Now lets take a moment and think about that statement, whether your fears sprout from an old childhood memory or are just products of over thinking the concept of spiders, clowns, darkness etc. The only grasp a fear has on you is the one you give it.

Your'e probably thinking "you make it sound so easy" or "you don't know what it's like" in fact, it's completely normal to feel like that specific fear has you constrained in its little cobweb of doubt and negativity. But surely that swell of panic and inability to form a coherent thought when facing one serves a purpose? it might not sound worthwhile, but it is. Why? for the experience. Because the only thing more powerful than a phobia is the knowledge that -after standing nose-to-nose against one- it will provide you with a life changing feeling that will last you a lifetime.

Finally. you may be wondering what fuels up this magic recipe for courage, and the answer is simple; your goal. What is it that you're willing to do anything for? maybe its the realization that against all odds and second guessing, you made it. Or the lingering dream that's been waiting at the end of that finish line since your childhood. Regardless of what it is, it's an inspiration that shines against the dark murky cloud of self-limitation.

Basically, i believe that all fears stem from the same root; control, oblivion, the thought that no matter what you do there will always be an uncontrolled factor swimming about threatening to make an appearance. But it can be fought, and the battle can be won.