Moises and Mendez-Palmares: Conquer your fear

Michelle: I once was asked what I was most afraid of. When I was still single the following answers came to mind: Death, becoming obese, losing my hair and not losing my Buddha belly.

After sifting through them, I realized that none of them actually scared me. In fact, death would end all of my fears. Obesity? I can go on a diet and exercise. Baldness? I can always wear a wig. And a Buddha belly is actually a sign of fertility! So I could be the next Fear Factor champion, right? Not!

I am scared of snakes and appearing naked in public. But when push comes to shove, I think I would probably eat the snake and the public would pay me to keep my clothes on. Now that I have a family, I am afraid that my children will get sick or that something bad might happen to them. What do you fear?

DJ: I always believe in conquering one’s fear. Several years ago, I went to Universal Studios Port Aventura in Spain. I tried the Condor Drop. It is 328 feet high, with a tilted seat to enhance a falling sensation and with a maximum drop speed of 70 miles per hour. Gravity is a strong force but falling can be fun! I think we all are afraid of something.

There are those who are afraid of flying, of being closed in or of animals and snakes. Some are even afraid of wasps and insects. Not many people believe me when I say I am afraid of speaking in public. But maybe because I am brave enough to confront such fear, I appear to be “successful” in that area. That’s why I always tell people there is such a thing called “grace.” It is okay to be afraid of something. It’s even healthy. When channeled properly, we can even use our fears to our advantage!

M: Thinking about fears makes us take stock of ourselves. A lot of times, we stop ourselves from doing what we dream of doing or going after something that we love or are passionate about because of our fears.

To identify what these fears are is difficult enough for some; to accept that they exist and to do something about them is another matter altogether.

DJ: I am afraid of not living out the purpose I am created for. But I also strive to rid myself from that fear and try to do something to conquer it.

Many fears are rational taken to an irrational level. In psychology, there is something called exposure treatment. A person is exposed to something that he or she fears. That’s how I came across public speaking. I just thought I could be good at something that I am afraid of and I’m glad I tried. Many people never discover the unknown because of fear. Some have great talents in singing but they have stage fright.

There is truth about one’s purpose. What one can be, one must be. The initial step is to know one’s self, strengths and weaknesses and what one is afraid of. A person should learn to confront his or her fears and not allow them to keep him or her from becoming his or her best own self. No matter how crowded this world can be, there is a space for each one to make the difference only he or she can make.

M: There are a lot of troubles in this world if you think about it. But useless anxieties and real or imagined fears slowly dissipate if we have faith and trust in God. He wants the best for all of us, this I know for sure. Although we sometimes don’t get what we want, He always gives us the best in His perfect time. And usually, we come to realize that what He gives us is actually what we really need. With that, how can one remain fearful?

DJ: That’s true. Someone once said that if we are to be afraid of something, it is not because we are inadequate. It is because we are powerful beyond measure. So if fear is staring at you and you want to run away, just remember that Robert Frost was right when he said, “The best way out is to go through it!”

(ssinglestalk@yahoo.com)