Cover Photo by Alice Alinari on Unsplash

Remember the 2015 animated movie "Inside Out"? The film revolves around the life of Riley, an eleven-year-old girl who finds her life upended when they move to Minnesota. Riley and her five core emotions - Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Anger, and Fear - had a lot of struggles as they face their new life in San Francisco. As Riley comes of age, we see her struggle as she allows one or two or all emotions in her mind to drive her life choices all at once. 

We were Riley once said. And for many of us growing up, fear may be the one emotion we let drive our lives. How does fear work? And can we ever become truly fearless?

The Fear Reflex

Fear is one of the most basic physiological responses. Fear is what happens when our species is on survival mode. Scientifically, this is called the fight-or-flight response. Anxiety occurs as a trigger that tells our body to do something or adapt when it senses danger. Science considers fears one of three "unlearned" emotional responses. It is a reflex that comes naturally to human beings.

Research studies show that fear and anxiety usually are occurring emotions. The fear reflex allows us to cope with adversity. However, when fear becomes pathological, it can seriously affect how we deal through life's everyday challenges. 

We have our own worst fears. Dex Experience, a New York singer songwriter shares in the short documentary, "Behind the Magic," that revealing his true identity was his worst fear. The singer said, "As a gay man singer/songwriter, coming out and revealing my true identity was my greatest fear. I was afraid of showing my true self."

What Happens When Fear Takes Over?

Fear and anxiety can be harmful if not dealt with properly. Statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health indicate that one in five adults in the United States will suffer pathological disorders such as anxiety disorder in one year.

Our circumstances can condition how we deal with fear. For someone working in the music industry, a fear of the aftermath of coming out could negatively impact creative expression. Living in fear can potentially set us back from tapping into our unlimited potential.

For Dex Experience, when he decided to pursue a singer/songwriting career, he didn't feel the genuine joy that he was looking to experience. There was a void that gnawed at him. The fear of coming out may have helped him survive in an industry he felt would destroy him if he revealed his true self, but it certainly did not help him thrive. It was overcoming the fear that ultimately allowed him to find his life's purpose finally.

Becoming Fearless

Fearless people are individuals who have a healthy respect for fear. Dex Experience shares that fear is something that will always exist, but once you understand it, you can begin to overcome it. The idea is to accept fear as an emotion trying to attach itself as a reality. In short, don't be afraid to be afraid. He says, If there is ever a moment, you feel that fear is trying to take over, listen to one of his favorite fear fixing songs on-repeat, "Fearless." the new inspirational pop ballad by Avalona who's vocals and music composition being so incredibly powerful and transcending it moves the listener to a place of having peace with fear. It’s a healing song for the soul.

Be comfortable that you feel fear. As an unlearned response, know that it will always be there. Also, fearless people understand how anxiety works. It is a complex emotion that can be blown out of proportion depending on how we regulate our thoughts. Next, to be fearless, you need to reflect on the root cause. Maybe it's biology, a past traumatic experience, or forecasting where you worry too much about a future that has not arrived yet.

There is no way that people can live without fear. But we have the power to determine how we let it run our lives. Once you effectively handle anxiety and believe in yourself, you will feel a sense of freedom that you have not felt before. You are confident of a better world and a better you.

Statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health is referenced from “Pastor Creflo Dollar’s New Book ‘Overcoming Fear’ ” Jackson Advocate, vol. 76, no. 20, Jackson Advocate, 20 Feb. 2014, p. 15A.