Fear vs. Love

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Since joining the @ecotrain team I've been exposed to some pretty awesome like-minded individuals. I've been able to join the @naturalmedicine group and join in some positive thought conversation as well as being exposed to the @tribesteemup folks. I've been fortunate to come across these great groups. They do say "like attracts like" and after joining steemit just a few short months ago, I've been able to join and be a part of some pretty cool groups to bounce ideas off and share in good conversation. Many of these groups have "questions of the week" and great conversation starters. While I'll continue to share and post in these QOTW conversations, I'm certainly going to stay true to my one great passion and purpose and that is empowering others to open their minds and move towards an enlightened way of thinking - thus generating a more rewarding and illustrious life. I hope that all my friends on the above mentioned groups continue to join in conversation with me...certainly I hope anyone here on steemit engages in good thought and dialog with me - regardless of what background or groups they belong to.

So this post is all about two main points of thought that drives most of us here on planet earth. When asked for the opposite of love, most people respond with "hate." And while they are not necessarily wrong in that assessment, I would challenge people to look at the opposite of love with "fear." Fear is the underlying emotion that ultimately generates hate. Hate comes through misunderstanding and many misunderstandings are generated through thoughts of fear.

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What is fear? Why do we display that emotion? It is one thing to fear for ones life, but why do we find ourselves fearing things that are not life threatening? There aren't many reasons in today's modern life to display fear. Fear of heights, fear of water, fear of spiders, etc. - those types of fears are far different than fears of individual people or fears of uncertainty. Why would we fear a certain group of people or have a fear of uncertainty? The answer usually lies within our upbringing and our "programming." Whether we want to believe it or not, we've been programmed since birth to feel a certain way, believe a certain thing, have specific views on specific things. Today's modern media takes every opportunity to feed this fear. When our views or opinions misaligned with those through which we were taught, we tend to have a fearful view of the opposing perspective.

Fear is an unhealthy emotion. In our bodies, when we experience fear, there are chemical reactions that cause higher amounts of adrenaline to rush through our bodies in order to take action. This action is inherent in all of us. It was meant to keep us safe. However, when we are constantly in a state of fear we are pushing more and more adrenaline through our brain in order to free ourselves of danger. But what happens when there is no real clear and present danger? The mind and body stay in an ever-present state of perpetual "fight or flight" mode when not necessary. This can result in a variety of side effects:

• A weak immune system
• Ulcers, changes in weight, appetite, and other digestive problems
• Heart strain and cardiovascular issues
• Restlessness and irritability
• Bad sleep patterns or insomnia
• Depression or anxiety

So how to we begin to reprogram ourselves out of the sense of fear in our lives? We combat it through Love. When we approach each activity in our existence through love, the mind and heart are "open." Many don't realize that we are all interconnected on a spiritual or conscious level.

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If each day or activity were to be approached with Love; the mind, heart, and soul becomes more empowered and enlightened. Life becomes more open. We become more open. We are more calm and understanding. Stresses and anxieties don't occur as often. We don't seek to have more, but rather to give more. The irony in all this is that oppressors in this world oppress out of fear. They live in a constant state of perpetual fear. Even though they believe they have all the power, deep down inside most are living wrecked with fear. The only way to respond to all things - even the oppressors of this world is through more love. We cannot continue to push back with more negative emotions. It is a vicious cycle.

It is easy to look at the political climate of the world today and you can see this "fear" everywhere. Because of it, hate is drawn up. Hate for the opposing political party, hate for their supporters, hate for entire countries. It is such a poisonous state of which to live. The only answer can be to respond through love.

Humankind is going to continue to consciously evolve. It is our destiny. Despite the current world view or climate, we are evolving. There are people out there with the right perspectives and higher levels of awareness that will one day prove through. We can choose to make it a longer process or a shorter process. No matter what there is going to continue to be individuals we encounter through which it will be harder to show love. Work to do it anyway...

We'll all be better for it in the long run. Start loving all of life now. Don't wait...you're life will begin to feel more empowering and rewarding immediately. More good will come your way - you will feel better. Challenge any fears you have with Love. Show others through your examples. The best part of all this is that daily life is a perpetual test. We are giving opportunities daily to reprogram our minds and think with more Love. It all matters - every single action counts.

Be well - all of you are my friends - and I Love you all...

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