Nothing to fear but fear itself.

I've been reading a fabulous book by Particia T. Holland called A Quiet Heart. The book is all about keeping the right perspective--it's a great read! Anyway, I just wanted to record one of the insights I got from this book.

At one point in the book, Sister Holland talks about faith versus fear. She points out that fear is a learned behavior. She says, "In our earliest moments, we were awestruck, astonished, full of wonder. We were filled with love and had every confidence in God's continued goodness. What happened? At what age did we begin to feel anxious, fearful, doubtful?"

She then quotes Marianne Williamson who explains that it happens because "we [are eventually] taught to focus elsewhere. We are taught a very negative view of the world that contradicts who we really are. We are taught to think thoughts like competition, struggle, sickness, finite resources, guilt and pride. . . We are taught that things like earning grades, being good enough, having money and doing things the proper way are more important than love, trust, and confidence. We are taught that we're separate from other people, that we have to compete to get ahead, and that we're not quite good enough the way we are. We are taught to see the world the way that others have come to see it. . . Love is what we are born with. Fear is what we have learned here."

I love that last bit: "Love is what we are born with. Fear is what we have learned here." If only we could all go back, even a little bit, so that faith, love and confidence could prevail over all the messy stuff like fear and doubt!