Fear.

" This verse is all well and good while declaring it in broad daylight, but when it gets dark and lonely, all notions of living unafraid disappear (at least for me… some (most) of the time). . It’s usually fear that keeps us at night. The niggling worry that won’t leave you alone, the anxiety rolling around in your mind without permission. Fear pokes holes in our security and well-made plans. . What if this happens? What if that doesn’t work out? What if? What when? What how? . The key to a good night's sleep isn’t to eradicate fear, because, unfortunately, I think that’s an impossible task. We need to change our relationship with it." . In a book by Elizabeth Gilbert, she writes a letter to fear: . “Dearest Fear: Creativity and I are about to go on a road trip together. I understand you’ll be joining us, because you always do. I acknowledge that you believe you have an important job to do in my life, and that you take your job seriously… I recognize and respect that you are part of this family, and so I will never exclude you from our activities, but still – your suggestions will never be followed. You’re allowed to have a seat, and you’re allowed to have a voice, but you are not allowed to have a vote.

You’re not allowed to touch the road maps; you’re not allowed to suggest detours; you’re not allowed to fiddle with the temperature. Dude, you’re not even aloud to touch the radio. But above all else, my dear old familiar friend, you are absolutely forbidden to drive.” . When we get caught up fearing fear, and fighting fear, and pretending it's not there, we just end up giving it more control. We put it in the driver's seat, and it runs us all over the road. . But when we face fear, give it the voice it deserves (which is usually less than what we actually give it), listen to it with grace, while trusting that there is something good through and beyond this (no small thing, mind you), then no matter what happens, you can sleep peacefully, even while fear throws a toddler-like tantrum in the back seat. . Small caveat before I finish. This is a practice. I’ve spent many years learning, and still am, how to keep my fears from the driver's seat of my life."