A trekking trip through deep forests in Mount Abu (Sloth Bear Sanctuary Aravali Range) brought me face to face with my most dreaded fear.After walking for almost 3 km in the forest our guide Charles revealed to us a narrow bridge over Upper Kodra Dam which was necessary to cross to reach back to city.
A narrow path without any fencing or railing to support and surrounded by deep waters. All through the trek enjoying beautiful and versatile nature their was curiosity,excitement, thrill and concern of running into a sloth bear or other wild animal but all these feelings were overpowered by terror after learning that we need to cross that narrow bridge and my fear of hydrophobia started setting in.
As there was no turning back and no other route closest to the city to finish the trek in day light , I somehow mustered the courage and crossed the narrow bridge with a constant trembling in my heart.
Looking back at this experience, that day, in that moment of do or die I learnt few things about our fears which we all have ...Fears big or small are part of our lives..fear of height, fear of stage, fear of failure, fear of darkness, fear of insects, fear of closed spaces, fear of driving....the list is endless... but that day I learnt...
1)Fear is so much about our Imagination and Assumptions:
Once I reached closer to the bridge it was not so in capacious as I assumed it to be, looking from far off it seemed much narrower .So the closer we go to our fears or into situations we fear we are able to see things more clearly.Thus with taking small steps towards our fear there comes more clarity which helps us understand our fears better so as to overcome them.
"Fear is only as deep as the mind allows."
2) Being Aware/Being Prepared Helps control Fear:
Sloth Bear sanctuary is full of Bears and mauling cases are no less.Still as we were conscious enough to collect information about seasons when bear encounters are more(in rainy season and not in winters) had an experienced guide with us who had formally taken permission and informed forest Department of our trek route, Also the promptness of our guide of notifying our presence to any villager present in forest through a peculiar whistling sound(a standard ritual followed by villagers and tribal in forest so that if anyone is in trouble forest guards can get some idea of location), we had confidence, less fright and were prepared for the trek.
But the ignorance about this narrow bridge and its sudden appearance in our path escalated my fear of hydrophobia.So facts, details and particulars about our course of action helps us to manage fear better.
"Listen to what you know, Instead of What you Fear."
3)Acceptance of Fear is good for us:
Accepting one's fear doesn't makes one small.One should never be embarrassed of acceptance.When I realized I have no other option I conveyed my fear of hydrophobia to our guide and my family members. And as everyone was aware about it so all were more compassionate, alert and mindful to prevent any kind of misshaping.
Thus acceptance of fear with your near ones or your guru or guide will always help you. Because"Fear are stories we tell ourselves".
4) Focus on your Destination/Target:
When I was on that narrow bridge the guide said"Just don't look around and focus straight on your path and take your time, walk at your own pace" and this is what I did,I just concentrated on my walking straight and did not look down towards the water or surroundings and I could cross the bridge comfortably, although with quiver in my heart.Thus when fear is stopping you from achieving your desired goal try to avoid things or situations which can trigger or escalate your fright.
So "Feel the fear and do it anyway."
5)Stop looking for alternate options when faced with fear:
Realizing that we cannot turn back and go through the deep forest again and accepting that the narrow bridge was the only closest route to reach back city on time, I had to cross that bridge, although my heart was sinking.
So whatever fear one has if one is always resisting their fear or situations which they dread, ultimately these fears start becoming stronger and take over our logic and perspectives. So its always good to stop looking for other options and go through your fears.There is no hurry, no competition you must do it at your own convenience.
As rightly said" Being brave isn't the absence of fear.Being brave is having that fear but finding a way through it."
And lastly Fear doesn't go any where...If one thinks confronting fear and overcoming it will make it disappear, its a myth as it always remains there deep inside us but facing and defeating our fears repeatedly makes them weaker than our determination and will power.
So even if you do things you fear hundred times ,every time fear will discourage you to quit and not take the next step, but with consistency the voice of fear will become feeble and your will power will assume control and lead you to beautiful destinations in your life..........