avatarAaditya Rajagopalan

Summary

The author describes their personal journey of overcoming fear amidst family challenges, including caring for a sister with multiple health issues and supporting parents with their own health and financial struggles.

Abstract

The article titled "The Art of Overcoming Fear" is a deeply personal narrative by an individual who has grappled with fear throughout their life. The author, a Pharmacy major, draws inspiration from their sister, Akshitha Rajagopalan, who has autism, seizures, epilepsy, and dyskinesia, to pursue a health-related career. They share the emotional toll of witnessing their sister's struggles and the impact on their parents, Raj Santhanam and Devi Srinivasan, who face unemployment and health issues. The author outlines a five-step process they have undertaken to conquer their fears: admitting to having fears, discussing them with others, not taking on unnecessary burdens, living each day at a time, and actively confronting fears. They emphasize the importance of acknowledging fears, seeking support, focusing on the present, and taking proactive steps to face challenges, ultimately finding strength and potential solutions through this process.

Opinions

  • The author believes that everyone has fears and that acknowledging them is the first step towards overcoming them.
  • They express that keeping fears internalized can be detrimental, and opening up to someone can lead to support and potential solutions.
  • The author suggests that fears can multiply and become burdensome if one takes on issues that are not their own, advocating for a focus on personal concerns.
  • They highlight the unpredictability of life and the importance of living each day to the fullest, rather than being paralyzed by fears about the future.
  • The author asserts that taking action against fears is empowering and that individuals can dictate the terms of their engagement with their fears, rather than being controlled by them.
  • They encourage readers to recognize their own strength and resilience

The Art of Overcoming Fear

How I conquered my fears and became the best version of myself

Photo by Kat Jayne from Pexels

Throughout my life, I have been scared of my fears.

Fears have led me to make many bad decisions, which eventually lead to dire consequences.

My life is tragic. I live with my sister, Akshitha Rajagopalan, who has been suffering from autism, seizures, epilepsy, and dyskinesia (movement disorder) for most of her life.

My mom, Devi Srinivasan, has been suffering from high blood pressure and thyroid problems.

Finally, my dad, Raj Santhanam, has been unemployed for the past three years and is taking care of the entire family.

Whenever my parents took my sister outside, whether it was a walk or shopping, people would stare at her. Some would even laugh. I have always feared what my sister would think about this if she was normal. I also fear the mental toll it has taken on my parents to raise her. They have to feed her, bathe her, take her for walks and car rides (my sister loves car rides), and do many other things for her.

It has been challenging. There were so many times when I drowned in fear of what would happen to my family members. My parents were under a considerable amount of stress finding ways to take care of my sister, pay for her treatment, and help me pay my tuition for college.

I am currently a Pharmacy major at the University of the Sciences. My sister inspired me to pursue of health-related major, and I hope I can help her in any way soon.

Throughout my life, I have learned the arts to overcome my fears. It doesn’t come in one day, and believe me when I say that this could take days, months, or even years.

Photo by samer daboul from Pexels

“Each of us must confront our own fears, must come face to face with them. How we handle our fears will determine where we go with the rest of our lives. To experience adventure or to be limited by the fear of it.”- Judy Blume

1. Admitting to myself that I have fears

This was a tough one. I have constantly foreseen myself as a “mentally strong” individual for my ability to remain calm in tragic situations with my family. With that said, I thought of my fears as “mind games.” Instead of telling myself I have fears; I would avoid the prospect and comfort it with the idea that my mind is playing tricks on me.

What I should have realized is that everyone has fears, deep down. I could never hide or run away from that prospect. I am scared about my family’s future. I admit that.

Now I must take the initiative to confront my fears and overcome my biggest hurdles in life.

2. Talking to someone about my fears

I have kept many things to myself. I never wanted to burden anyone, including my family, with my fears and problems.

That was the biggest mistake I could ever make.

I am not God. I can’t assume and predict what other people will think.

What if that “someone” is proud that I opened to them about fears?

Two years ago, I opened up to my friend, Ali Rizvi, about everything going on in my life. The remorse he showed and the advice he gave me was heartwarming. I assumed that telling him my fears and problems would overwhelm him. However, by telling him my fears, I built our relationship further and eventually found potential solutions to conquer my fears.

3. Avoid taking on burdens that aren’t mines

I think of fears like a virus. If I fear one thing, I am bound to encounter many more fears (fears that are not mines). When I reflected on my fears, I learned that most of my fears weren’t about me.

One fear multiplied into many other fears.

I let that happen. I need to accept that.

I needed to understand that I can’t take on everyone’s burden. I am creating “unnecessary fear,” which is holding me back in life.

Like I said before, I am only human.

4. Live my life one day at a time

My fears feed upon thinking about the future. The more I think ahead, the more my fears evolve and grow. No one can predict the future. I should approach every day as a new day rather than assuming the end is written.

My family suffers from a wide range of problems. I accept that. But, I should never assume that their future is written or something will happen to the family tomorrow.

Just a few days ago, my sister, Akshitha, said my name for the first time in her life. Aao-di-taa-ya! That is how she pronounced my name. Of course, it wasn’t perfect, but it was memorable and beautiful.

I was in tears. I could never predict Akshitha would suddenly say my name, at that time, at that moment.

That is where I learned that “tomorrow” is filled with a wide range of opportunities to live and succeed.

Nobody knows what awaits them the next day. I accepted that reality and moved on with my life.

5. Step up to the fears

Now that I have recognized my fears, I need to own up to my fears.

I need to move on with my life and do whatever it takes to help my family.

As I mentioned above, my family is struggling financially.

Doing nothing and thinking about the fear is not going to help! Now it is my time to step up and help overcome the financial crunch.

Taking the initiative to step up to the fear is an effective way to overcome my fears.

I am not letting the fears dictate me; instead, I am dictating the fears.

Photo by Arthur Brognoli from Pexels

After finishing the article, take a moment to think about the fears present in your life. Think about the decisions you have made because of the fears. Now thin, should I continue to feed the fear, or is it time I do something about it? Never forget that you are a warrior.

If you can overcome challenges in life, you can, without a doubt, overcome your fears.

Fear
Life Lessons
Life Experience
Scared
Beyourself
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