How To Release Fear During the Holiday Season

Part 4: How to Choose Emotional Freedom over Fear during the Holiday Season

How do you choose to live your life? Do you want a life of peace and joy? Would you like to release the pain and misery that seems to accompany you every day? Believe me, you have it in your power to live the passionate life of your dreams.

Few of us leap to peaceful states of consciousness and enlightenment, especially when we have been hurt or traumatized. However we can understand that nothing from the past has to define the future. So many of us are connected to the past and we just keep recycling the information and recycling the experience, but once you get to the fact that you get to choose there is an awakening. You get to choose your life, you get to choose how you want to operate on this planet and how you want to make a difference. You can begin to dissect those experiences and those beliefs and transform and reframe them.

The difference between fear and freedom is helplessness over power. We have all heard the stories of amazing feats people have performed when they release their fear. People walk over hot coals. Trapeze artists walk across thin wires thousands of feet in the air. The only difference between these people and you is that they have made a decision to do these feats without the energy of fear.

You have control over how much fear you are going to allow in your life. Practice techniques to change the energy of your body and change your thinking and you will gain confidence in your control over your feelings and actions. One technique is conscious breathing. The most dramatic effects can be felt when you use this technique while in a state of anger or anxiety. These powerful emotions are manifestations of fear. Be aware of your body's reaction to a circumstance and, with awareness and love for yourself, decide to change your body's patterns. Move to a place of peace and close your eyes. Breathe in deeply while counting to seven in your head, hold your breath for the count of seven and breathe out for the count of seven. This breath work has been scientifically proven to release blocks in the body. Do this breathing cycle seven times. You will find you that the chatter in your head will become quiet when you concentrate on your breathing. When you are complete open your eyes. How do you feel? Does your body feel lighter? Has the anger or anxiety lessened? This simple exercise will show you the control you have over your feelings and emotions. As you explore additional ways to release the fear and focus on your freedom, such as yoga, exercise, dance or other creative expressions, you will gain confidence in your power.

Remember the quote from Marianne Williamson. Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world.

Don't play small. Release the fear that is holding you back. Take control over your life. Your past does not have to define your future. By choosing freedom for your life you open doors to amazing opportunities. You actually embody the life you dream of.

Next week we will learn how to put your attention on the choices that will best serve your expanded growth. Remember, freedom is a choice.

Cynthia James is a lecturer, teacher, internationally renowned performing artist and author of "What Will Set You Free". She currently serves as an associate minister at Mile Hi Church, in Lakewood, Colorado, one of the largest new thought spiritual centers in the world, with a congregation of over 10,000 member and friends. To learn more about living a life of passion, visit her website at www.whatwillsetyoufree.com.