Fear & Flow

Fr. Dan and Richard Leider discuss the difficulties and importance of facing fear and anxiety.

Integration

We all have fears, anxieties, and addictions in our lives, as well as things that we avoid. St. Ignatius labelled these stressors as “unfreedoms” that hold us back from a flourishing life. He recommended the practice of agere contra (meaning “to act against”) to free ourselves from these anxieties. Specifically, when you find an “unfreedom” in your life, you should act in the opposite manner and face these frustrations directly. For example, if you have a fear of asking for help, you should do the opposite of your fear and start asking for help repeatedly.

Your Integration this week is to work through a specific fear or anxiety through direct confrontation. You can explore your fears through a mind map and a failure resume; then choose one or two issues to focus on. Then take small steps each day to work through this fear through exposure and practice.