Releasing Invisible Chains of Fear
“It’s a nightmare
We’re living in a nightmare
Everyone’s living so scared
They’re virtually unaware
Of this fear that rules their lives
Occupies, consumes their minds
This fear of bankruptcy
Financial impotency
… Take back the knowledge,
take back the power,
humanity don’t let this
be our final hour.”
We live in a world of medication, whether it is prescribed or self-administered through distractions like Netflix, booze, holidays and even weekends. Yes, even culturally-prescribed leisure on weekends can serve as a sort of medication. Ask yourself: what do you actually do on your weekends? Are you using that time to create? Are you something you truly love that gives you life? Or is that time used to merely to escape from your “real” life, the life that keeps you bound by unfulfilling obligations?
Anxiety abounds and fear runs amuck in our times, whether we conscientiously realize it or not. Mike Love is on to something here in the lyrics of his song “Permanent Holiday.” Through advertising, social media, our jobs, our spirituality, family obligations, others are constantly trying to control us, it doesn’t have to be intentional. It’s the way the world has learned to operate. Choice feels like a façade, and all too often we are bound by these very powerful invisible chains that leave us feeling like we are backed into a corner. We have bills to pay, relatives that want or need our attention. We are subtilty giving our agency over to others, rather than willfully engaging with others on our own terms. When we do this, we lose the power of choice, the power to love and act of fear instead. Fear is the opposite of love. Love cannot thrive where fear abounds, and fear causes a great deal of anxiety.
The good news (and sometimes daunting news) is that we are in charge of ourselves; we can “take back the power.” It’s not someone else’s choice to give it back to us. It’s ours to keep or give away. When we feel like we are not empowered, we stop taking responsibility for our actions. We take what’s in front of us that others are offering instead of making healthier choices for ourselves. This also leads to a line of thinking that we take from others what we can get away with instead of asking ourselves whether that’s the right decision for you or the other person.
Even when life circumstances compel us to do things that are a drag, we still have an element of control. Think about it, are you miserable in your job? Is this a state of mind, or are you actually miserable? Consider viewing your job with gratitude and realizing that going to work is something you are choosing to do, not something forced on you. You are actively deciding to show up so that you can create a beautiful home, eat delicious food, and participate in life giving activities, finding ways to thrive, not just survive. It makes a job far more tolerable, if not enjoyable.
“... we might not be able to immediately change whether we have to show up to a job but we can change how we show up to that job.”
Alternatively, if your job is truly miserable, then use it as steppingstone to help you find something else that give you life. Recognize that change is needed and start the search for something you’ll actually enjoy doing. Trust me, if you love what you’re doing, whatever it is in life, you’ll be far more successful than anything done out of fear or obligation, which is a form of mental imprisonment. In other words, we might not be able to immediately change whether we have to show up to a job but we can change how we show up to that job.
I am slowly becoming conscious of when I‘m living life through obligation. It’s not always easy to notice, but when I do, I use it as an opportunity to consciously release the invisible chains of fear so that I can embrace all that I do in gratitude, love, and peace upon peace.
—Stacie Mallinson
Stacie is half of the Taosurfer collective, a former nonprofit development professional, a certified yoga instructor who specializes in Yin practice, and co-host of the Protect Your Noggin Podcast. To get exclusive, weekly reflections on fresh translations of the Tao Te Ching like this, become a patron.