Develop the Courage to Face Your Fears

Hello There, VivBounty here to share with you ways to develop the courage to face your fears with these self-help ideas written by Judith Conroy, Reiki Master. Judith has given me permission to share her articles with you on my blogs.

Fear is one of life's hindrances that can keep you from reaching your full potential. In
fact, it’s the likely culprit when you tell yourself that you're not able to do something
that you have every ounce of ability to do. Fear can turn your world upside down in no
time if you don’t confront it face to face.

Of course, you might be saying that it's easier said than done, because you've tried
your best to overcome your fears and it just hasn’t worked. It's totally
understandable if that's your stance right now. However, why not take a look at
some self-help ideas that could assist you in building the courage to stand taller than
whatever you're fearful of?

Are you ready? Let's go.

What's the Worst That Could Happen?

Take a minute to reflect on the fear that's holding you back. Take a closer look at
what you think will happen if you take a head-on approach to your fear. What's the
worst that could really happen?

• If you're worried about rejection, focus on a positive outcome to get past it.

•  If you're concerned about failure, think about the lesson you can learn from the
  experience that can continue to move you forward toward your goal.

•  If you're fearful about disappointing others, remember that "this too shall pass."

Conquer Smaller Fears First

If you're like most people, your fears range from the smallest, most insignificant
things to major scenarios that could be life-changing. But there's really no better way
to develop courage than to get some practice at facing your fears.

So why not start with smaller fears? Are you afraid of insects? Or are you worried
about taking a driving exam because you fear you'll fail? Start with things like these -
the fears that aren’t heart-crushing, but which still take some amount of courage to
face.

• Tell yourself you're capable of facing the fears because you're prepared.

•  Comfort yourself with knowing that you'll never get more than you can manage
  in life.

•  Remind yourself that what you fear is nowhere are large as your will and desire
  to conquer it!

 Look at Everything as a Learning Experience

Above all, it definitely helps a lot if you look at everything - even situations you fear -
as a learning experience. Putting a positive spin on something usually makes it much
easier to deal with.

Take some time to think about what positives you can discern from something you
fear. If you think about what conquering a specific fear could mean for you, consider
how proud and extremely happy you'll be when you actually make it through.

Think about how you'll feel on the other side of the road when you look back and
realize that making it through was much less of a challenge than you thought it would
be.

There's no greater success than the type that comes with overcoming obstacles. And
without a doubt, fear is an obstacle you can overcome.


Developing the courage to face your fears will likely be a work in progress for a while,
but it's truly possible. By using these self-help ideas, you'll be able to take baby steps
towards becoming brave enough to conquer what's preventing you from reaching
your fullest potential. Give it a shot and discover what you're really made of!

 ~ Thank you so much Judith ~

For my part, I can attest to Judith's advice above. I had a terrible fear of speaking in public. My high school French teacher sat beside me as I gave my oral presentation at end of term which represented a huge portion of my mark. She gave me looks of encouragement and if I stumbled she prompted me with a word or a phrase. She knew my fear I had me stalling to the point of being ill  and that I was more than capable of doing a great presentation. She was right and my classmates applauded me at the end of it and I got a really high mark for that class, I knew I could speak in public without passing out, and that skill has paid off numerous times for me.

I went on to have a travel career escorting groups of tourists around the world and even giving presentations to tourists on location. Speaking to the congregation in Church, sad task though it is, I have been called upon to give a eulogy or two for those I love over the years giving great comfort to the family and friends gathered knowing I was the only one to effectively pay tribute to that particular soul's life. In the moments I have been called upon to speak to large groups, the focus has always been on what they need to hear, drawing on my source, intending to impart upon the group the knowledge, information or comfort they seek as a group and individually so that my fear or nervousness is not even on the radar anymore.

In fact, next month, well into an early retirement, I am escorting a fund raising bus tour for PEDVAC, our local social agency. On last count we had 30 ladies booked, some of whom sit on the board of directors with me. Take a look at the bus tour itinerary and great work this agency does at the Web site I created for them here.

Until next time, this is VivBounty telling you that you have nothing to fear but fear itself. 

Inspiring You To Manifest Your Own Bounty.

VivBounty~ Living Life With Best Intention

In Honour Of Those Who Lost Their Lives Ten Years Ago Today

Hello Fellow Inspiring Ones, VivBounty here to share with you a little message of hope from a New Yorker who happened to be in Ireland on that fateful day, September 11, 2001 when the world changed.

This morning I happened to be going through my recipe folder and on the back of a recipe called Mama's Beef Stew from Guideposts Magazine, 2002, the following article appeared.

I add this article and share the prayer I posted in our church bulletin this week:
"Lord, help us to find a way to make peace with those who have harmed us."

And finally I wish to share the timely arrival of this most inspirational video in my In-box which not only brings home the horrific attrocities of war but the immense triumph of the human spirit.

Enjoy the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W86jlvrG54o&feature=related

It doesn't matter what colour our skin is, whether our eyes are oval or slanted, we are more alike than we are different and we all want the children who are our future to have a fighting chance at a good full life, honouring their divinity which they came here to share with us. 

May all adoptive mothers on earth be blessed for all the children you rescue who then go on to bless your lives beyond measure.

Namaste,
VivBounty

There Is A Reason You Are Drawn To Every Situation

Hello There, VivBounty here to share with you confirmation there is a reason you are drawn to every situation.

This is a sequel of a sort to my previous post Working The Church Supper, where I found myself battling about why I had agreed to do this.

The reasons I was meant to share my time and lend a helping hand were as varied as the many people I met at the church supper. First there was the lady who had asked me to help in the first place. This lady had been on my prayer list for a life-threatening disease along with a second lady for which there had been little hope of recovery. Still, there they were both doing wonderfully as far as I could tell and certainly enjoying the fellowship and food.

The next amazing thing were the other volunteers and servers. The lady serving the table beside mine actually remembered my first visit to the church almost 4 years ago and inquired whether I had received a response to my inquiries. There were also 2 men whom I had seen around the village at various fundraisers and social events during those years clad in aprons, serving food at the buffet and washing dishes. These guys were always friendly and comical when I had seen them out and about but I never imagined them to be selfless or charitable and it warmed my heart to see them in this light. Still another 3 ladies were in their late 70's and one 80 years old serving tables with big smiles hardly sitting down for a couple of hours. They were certainly an inspiration to me and put the young one complaining about her feet hurting to shame.

I wasn't surprised to see 2 of the older ladies serving their community as they were 2 of the very first people we met when we moved here and each time we ran into them, be it in a store, at the doctor's office or at the hospital setting up all our vital services in the area, they always hugged us like they had known us all our lives. I had been praying for one of them as well and got confirmation of her clean bill of health recently. Still another fell and hurt herself shortly thereafter and having spent time with them during my shift at the church supper, I felt comfortable enough to drop in unannounced to visit and check on her. Again I was welcomed warmly with tight hugs, they never seem to forget anyone's name, and they always have a very sweet encouraging word for me no matter what circumstance we meet under.

The final lady I wish to mention is the one who I had been meaning to connect with since our first meeting at the town office. She had been welcoming then, offering her computer to print our forms out directing us to her home saying that we should just tell her husband she sent us and he'd be happy to let us use his computer and printer. Now 4 years later at the church supper, I found out she used to be a dog groomer and is now an artist. I have seen some of her work at friends' homes and businesses around the village and it is beautiful. Again, I dropped in on my dog walk to introduce her to my dog, Pedro and found we had so many other things in common that we now have a date to have tea and a visit to her studio on the top floor of her house. She has lovely bird feeders, a cat, a dog, bat houses and all sorts of things we can bond over and learn from each other. I just know I was meant to add her to my many friends in this lovely little village.

Until next time, don't think twice when you are called to do something new in a new place. You just never know what good things God and the universe might have in store for you.

Keep peace and love in your heart this season of spiritual cleansing and always,
VivBounty

"For it is in giving that we receive;..."
--St. Francis of Assisi

Working The Church Supper

Hi There, VivBounty here to share with you how I came to work at my first church supper in the village.

While at a meeting a fellow board member who is also part of the church ladies group asked if I would help with the upcoming church supper. She quickly summed up that I'd be required to "take their plates and ask them if they want tea or coffee". I thought I could manage that so I agreed. Almost immediately, I began to regret my decision. As the church supper date approached, my misgivings grew and these thoughts plagued me:

• The differences between religion and spirituality came into play.
• The whole financial solvency issue of this little parish like so many others worldwide being in jeopardy of closing. The powers that be seemingly uncaring.
• Bad behaviour and all that surrounds the abuse of power playing out in the media not just lately but for many years.
• Those who need the support of this parish not receiving it while others who don't need it get it.
• An understandable drop in members and new clergy.

About a week before the supper, I got a voice message to confirm me serving a table, with an added request that I make a potato scallop dish if I knew what that was. This was nothing like the image I had in my mind of the first quick request to take plates and offer tea or coffee behind a counter. So now I was very reluctant to do this. I returned the call to say I'd never waited tables before nor was I comfortable or confident enough to cook for others on that scale. I was assured there'd be others around me to help me with table service and not to worry about cooking a dish.

The day arrived and I was still not sure I wanted to go through with this. I spent the morning in meditation searching for peace and goodwill turning to my bookcase I found Gary Zukav's book Soul Stories. He talks about multisensory perception and everyone having non-physical friends; some have more than others depending on how many people and situations you will encounter. He states: Non-physical Teachers do not tell you what to do. They help you see your options. They help you think through your choices. They help you understand what you are feeling, and why. They help you become more loving. They guide you to the fullest use of your life. They are Friends who share with you. Then you decide what to do.

I decided that my gang of non-physical friends (however many there are) and I would go work this church supper. As promised I had a table of nine, it filled twice, I served tea, coffee, cake and took plates. At the end of it all, I was so pleased I went realizing I knew more people than I thought I did, it was not at all about lining the church's pockets, nor giving to an organization whose mandate I didn't wholeheartedly agree with. It was about community and I revelled in the fellowship of our little community of less than 500 people, where folks love to gather at the various charitable events; especially during winter when we are all cooped up, don't see much of anyone except the grocer and the gas station clerk.

During this reflective season of Lent, use more than your five senses and know that there is a reason you are drawn to every situation in your life.

Prosperous Blessings,
VivBounty

“Multisensory perception is the voice of the nonphysical world.”
—Gary Zukav