Submitted photoRather than dwelling on fear and the fallen tree, shift to more pleasant thoughts.

If you’ve lived a day, you have probably experienced fear. It may be from early childhood. I look back to times in my childhood when my parents would take me to the library where I could find books to read or listen to records. One of my favorites was a record of scary sounds; the sounds of wind and storms, the sounds of creaking doors, the sound of a cat hissing, the sound of a witch laughing, and other similar sounds.

My memory of that time was that my imagination would visualize what was happening with each of those sounds and I would shudder. But, the next reaction was the most important. They could be turned off and I could return to the safety of the protection of my family. Fear didn’t last and I knew I was safe.

Do you experience fears? It’s OK to say you do. Living here in the South, we are blessed with beautiful surroundings. Abundant, lush green grass, green leaves on the trees, creeks, ponds, rivers, and lakes of full of water are all around. What else could we ask for? I would say we have it pretty good here. But every now and then, the weather gets an attitude and gives us a scare.

Right in Meridian and Marion just a few days ago, or in Newton over a decade ago, or Winston County, or Kemper County there were rough weather events that shook people up. Even though the weather was violent, it was momentary. Recovery took a little longer. Feeling a sense of ease after recovery took some time. But, things did get better… The green growth came back, plants and animals returned. They had determined to see the past with positivity.

The origin of the word “fear” comes from an old Norse word that meant “evil, mischief, plague.” Those original meanings sound pretty drastic. Maybe your realistic fears are about your family, your health, the weather, the changes in the world, or a number of other things. Our fears can oftentimes blind us to the good we have and the first-world blessings we enjoy. Fear can create an amnesia, of sorts. When fears arise, they cloud our memories of the good that we have around us, how many times we have survived when we thought we wouldn’t, and how the world naturally recovered. Those reminders help us combat the amnesia brought on by fear.

When fear comes, remind yourself of how much good there has been in your life, how our fears rarely ever come to pass, and refocus your mind and energy on things over which you have power. Remember how you overcame problems and fears in the past and how you can do this again. If your fears are derived from hearing media reports about bad things happening throughout the world, turn your attention to something more positive. You feed the thoughts to which you give the most time and attention. Replace with something more pleasant. Reach out to someone you trust and talk with them about fears that are difficult to release.

Fear doesn’t have to take control. You are more powerful than any fear and you can do this again!

Reference: Fear. (n.d.). Retrieved April 23, 2018, from www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fear

If you are a senior adult struggling with anxiety, depression or grief and/or are struggling with coping with daily living, Senior Care can offer help and hope. Call 601-703-4917 or look up www.rushhealthsystems.org/seniorcare for more information.

Spencer Blalock, DHA, LCSW, BCD, is a clinical specialist with Senior Care – a service of Rush Health Systems.