A New Year's Dare

This new year, I see a lot of people resolving to face their fears.

Many people - urged on by "experts" - are making a promise to wage war on their fears. They plan to fight them, stamp them out, resist them, and spend the rest of the year - or, if it comes down to it, their lives - overcoming and conquering them. Whatever it takes, they say, to rid themselves of those negative little beasts that are, in their minds, holding them back from living the lives that they desire.

And, to be honest, I can actually see - kind of see, that is - the logic in that. It does appear to be a noble act. Rid yourselves of your fears, and then you can accomplish anything! seems to be their slogan. And years ago, before I changed my way of thinking, I probably would have eagerly jumped on their bandwagon.

But not today. Today I'd like to purpose another option. Make - perhaps - a healthier suggestion.

I dare you to face your... desires.

Since what we resist persists (thank you Carl Jung), wouldn't it make more sense to not resist our fears? To instead focus on the opposite of our fears? But then that begs the question: Just what is the opposite of our fears?

Wait for it. Wait for it... Oh, snap.

Desires.

It's my belief that our "fears" keep us from our desires. Keep us from living life to the fullest. So, with that being said, wouldn't it be logical to focus on our desires? Wouldn't it stand to reason to identify our desires, accept them, feel them, and - gasp - follow them?

If I've learned anything over the past year, it's this... It takes far more energy to run from your fears than it does to follow your desires.

Wow! Isn't that liberating? Let's hear it again...

It takes far more energy to run from your fears than it does to follow your desires.

Talk about a feeling of relief! (And isn't that glorious feeling of relief what we're all ultimately reaching for anyway?)

Face your desires, people. It's not an order, but a suggestion. It's a softer, more positive way of living. Because when you face your desires, you'll always end up where to want to be. And the ride there? The ride will be magnificent.

On the other hand, facing your fears will, more than likely, produce nothing but a bumpy ride back to where you began.

Get your desires out in the open. Identify and define them. Talk about them, write about them, sing about them - even if it's just to yourself. You're the most important person in your life, anyway.

Face your desires, and everything else will just melt away.

** As a way of ringing in 2010, I'm honoring my passion for photography by starting up a Fan Page on Facebook. It's just another way of following my desires... Feel free to stop by and take a look! :)