Fear, while difficult, is a sign of our deep connection to love and to all of life. It tells us that something we value deeply is at risk. Fear activates our nervous systems, preparing us for that action. The depth of the fear that arises in response to a crisis of the size and scope of the Climate Crisis will often feel overwhelming enough to push us toward denial. We must step through the gateway and allow the fear to come into balance in our systems in a way that empowers us to take the actions we are called to.
Fear is normal, and we experience it in wide range of ways. Some people enjoy the rush of adrenaline they get from riding a roller coaster or watching a scary movie, others do not. Some of us deny and suppress our fear while others of us may feel our fear deeply, both mentally and physically. If the anxiety is sustained, it can lead to feeling irritable and distracted. When this is a chronic pattern, it interferes with our sense of joy and ease in life.
When we find safe places (both internally and externally) to feel our fear, and to feel supported and reassured, the fear can speak its message without shutting us down. We can then take the actions that will help us to feel empowered in the face of what threatens. Joanna Macy suggests that of all the dangers we currently face, actually the greatest danger is the deadening of our hearts and minds.
Our fears can be faced and worked through so that we are able to use the energy of fear to move us toward protecting what we love. If we are to do that, first we need to take care of our bodies and nervous systems. We can learn ways to calm ourselves, like deep breathing, exercise, and mindfulness practices. When we are in touch with our fear but calm enough to think clearly, we are more fully equipped to take the actions that we are called to, both in our personal/ individual lives, and collectively. We can practice self-soothing and we can foster connection with others so that we don’t feel isolated in facing big challenges.