When I say face everything and recover, think of a child who gets terrified, every night before bed, thinking there are monsters hiding in his closet. When he cries out to his parents, they flip the lights on and open the closet door, showing the boy that there are no monsters hiding there — they were only in his mind. The same kind of “flip on the lights and see what’s really there” approach can even help grown-ups let go of our fears. I mean the kind of deep-down fears that have a way of bubbling up in the form of procrastination, or outright avoidance. But even if you had all the money in the world, you couldn’t hire out the work of flinging open the kinds of dark closets you’re most afraid of. You’re the one who has to walk right up to your fears and push past them, if they’re in the way of what you want to do. But you’re also the one who’s going to get all the credit, when you do — in the form of the great feelings you’ll experience. I’m not just talking about how relieved you’ll feel once you see your fear-monsters vanish. I’m talking about the joyful exhilaration you’ll feel when your fears are replaced by something far more powerful, personal, and positive: pride. The kind of love-powered pride that feels truly fulfilling. Some people have been known to burst into giggles, or a big, goofy smile, once they walk right up and shine the light of truth on their own fear-monsters. Whistling isn’t out of the question, either. Lightness, calm, and peace could very well creep up on you, too. Remember that love is simply your natural human desire to enjoy your relationships with the people, places, and things in your world — including yourself. But did you ever imagine that you could create a loving relationship with your own fears? Avoiding what you fear may seem like a harmless way to live, literally — and isn’t that the point? But consider the consequences of continuing to shove your fears into the back of your darkest closets, like so much dirty laundry. Your avoidance doesn’t actually keep you safe; it only provides the illusion of safety. Your fears are the door that blocks you from fulfillment. Don’t avoid these doors. Instead, open them up and walk right through them, to the other side. ❤️‍🔥—Y.B.D.