How to Create a Fearless Future

andrew surgery

Out beyond ideas of rightdoing and wrongdoing there is a field. I will meet you there. ~ Rumi

Fear is future orientation. It’s imagining what could go wrong but hasn’t gone wrong yet. Fear is running a mental movie of the worst-case scenario repeatedly in your mind.

My 16-year-old grandson is having surgery (Posterior lumbar spinal fusion) in June. A steel rod will be anchored to his spine while added bone fuses together with existing bone. Once the bone fuses, the spine doesn't move and a curve can't progress.

I currently have a clear vision, a mental movie of the desired outcome in my mind. I have a vision that includes Andrew healed in advance. I watch him playing baseball and golf post-surgery.

Fear and worry have no part in the movie. He is young, strong, positive and bright.

He'll be better than fine. I know it in my mind and I feel it in my heart. There is no reason for him not to be. I have no doubt that the outcome will be positive.

What do you imagine for your future? What kind of movie do you play? What outcome do you expect to get?

Tips for an awesome future 

1. Choose to spiral upward.

Own your strengths, gifts and unique talents. Acknowledge all that you have to offer the world. Know that you are wiser than you think you are. You are unlimited. Love and value yourself. Talk yourself into greatness. 

2. Witness your fear. 

Write your fears down in a journal. What are your fears trying to tell you? Hear them out. What kind of action steps can you take to quiet your fear? Do what you need to do and release the rest. In order to get something new, you must fundamentally change how you think, feel and act. 

Are you ready for something new to transpire? 

3. Take five swings. 

Take small action steps daily towards your dreams. Ron Scolastico says, “If you would go every day to a very large tree and take five swings at it with a very sharp ax, eventually, no matter how large the tree, it would have to come down.” Note how fear fades with action. 

Five swings for Andrew

1. Pray and invite others to pray.

2. Send positive blessings to the hospital, Andrew, his family, the surgeons and all those involved in his healing in advance.

3. Play my movie. See and feel everything unfolding as it should.

4. Believe that everything is in Divine Order and let go.

5. Be grateful in advance for Andrew’s healing.

What five swings are you willing to take today?

4. Know the cost of fear. 

Fear causes stress that affects our health, our decision-making process and our freedom. It’s just as easy to focus on a positive outcome as it is a negative one. We can choose to learn from suffering and pain or joy and inspiration. 

Which outcome are you unwaveringly committed to? 

5. Challenge your thoughts. 

Don’t get carried away in the web of fear-thinking. Stop exaggerating your problems. Look for hidden benefits, solutions and blessings. 

Hubs and I will spend two weeks in July with Andrew as he recovers. I’m looking forward to having the undivided attention of an otherwise busy teen. We’ll make happy memories. 

6. Invest in faith. The same force that holds the stars in the sky and turns an acorn into an oak tree are at work beyond what you can comprehend. Trust that the Universe has your back. Trust that everything will work out as it should.

Believe in a future you can’t experience with your senses. Have faith in a future you cannot see. There is immense power in this. 

Would you please include Andrew in your thoughts and prayers? Thanks in advance for adding positive energy to my vision.

Please share your thoughts below.

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • Bridget May 27, 2013, 8:25 am

    Great article. Simple, clear and direct. You have real action steps. And I am very grateful.

  • Tess May 27, 2013, 11:39 am

    Bridget,
    You’re welcome anytime! I love new comments.

  • Elle May 27, 2013, 3:54 pm

    Love your movie Tess. I’ll imagine it with you – choosing to spiral upwards. What a great phrase.

    e-hugs
    Elle

    • Tess May 28, 2013, 8:50 am

      Elli,
      Together we rise! xo

  • David Stevens May 27, 2013, 4:40 pm

    Praying that Andrew has a successful recovery. Be fearless Tess! Thankyou.
    be good to yourself
    David
    Life Coach. Listener. Solution Finder.

    • Tess May 28, 2013, 8:49 am

      David,
      Thanks for your prayers and support!

  • Suzie Cheel May 27, 2013, 6:04 pm

    Awesome Tess, sending prayers and healing energy for Andrew.
    I know the positive movie works, I know it is how I healed my kidneys and i have a new picture now that my bones will regrow.
    Those are 5 great swings…….
    Namaste ???

    • Tess May 28, 2013, 8:49 am

      Suzie,
      Ok and I’ll see your bones growing big and strong. Love to you! xo

  • Vidya Sury May 27, 2013, 8:48 pm

    “Choose to spiral upward” is something my Mom would always advise. I have the habit of imagining positive/the desired outcomes, and almost always find that it happens, simply because my efforts were geared to making it happen. On the other hand, there are times when intuition kicks in and cushions me for the worst, too. I know your grandson is going to be better than fine – and look forward to updates. There’s no doubt that an investment in faith reaps huge rewards. Always.

    Please know that Andrew, the process and everyone involved will be in my prayers as I light the lamp at 6 am every morning.

    This is superb inspiration, Tess. Thank you. Hugs, Vidya

    • Tess May 28, 2013, 8:48 am

      Vidya,
      I think our moms were sisters in another life. So that would make us cousins;) Thanks for your prayers and support. xo

  • Cathy Taughinbaugh May 27, 2013, 9:19 pm

    Best wishes to your grandson, Tess. I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers. Stay strong. Very inspiring post!

    • Tess May 28, 2013, 8:47 am

      Cathy,
      Thanks for your compliment, prayers and support. xo

  • Sebastian Aiden Daniels May 27, 2013, 11:23 pm

    I wish Andrew well. I think it is very important to be aware of our fears. IF we aren’t then how will we know when we are feeling them and when to fight them. I hope your time with Andrew turns out some awesome memories.

    • Tess May 28, 2013, 8:47 am

      Sebastian,

      Yes it’s when we ignore or fight our fears that they grow and paralyze us. Steal our dreams. All that stuff. Thanks for stopping by.

  • Fran Sorin May 28, 2013, 12:45 am

    Tess-
    Brilliant post! It has become one of my new ‘favorite’ Tess post.

    I think it is extremely helpful – at least for me – that you have approached and ‘massaged’ fear from different angles. It is so easy in our culture to use phrases like ‘no fear’ or ‘get rid of fear’ or ‘living without fear’ . If you have a lot of fears or even a sprinkling of fear, those type of thoughts can be intimidating.

    Rather, you have given fear it’s rightful place by witnessing them. Yes, it is critical to change behaviors in order to lead a life filled with joy, imagination, faith, and a positive outcome – as you are doing so elegantly with your grandson. But fear can also be an ally depending on the circumstances. It is our ability to be able to differentiate between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ fear (am not sure this makes sense but I’m trying!!) that allows us to live our dreams.

    Of course my prayers are with Andrew and his family. You, dear Tess, will be a tremendous source of healing for him- what a lucky young man he is.
    With much love and respect- Fran

    • Tess May 28, 2013, 8:45 am

      Hi Fran,

      I think if I lived closer I might have more fear. Distance helps me to not get tangled up in any fear thoughts. When I use fearless living it means doing things in spite of fear. I’m constantly vigilant for fear. Otherwise I’d be blown away by it;) Lesson 48 in A Course In Miracles “There is nothing to fear,” had always been a favorite of mine. It says when I’m fearfully I’m forgetting that I can rely on Holy Spirit, God, Love or The Force. Well that put’s it in perspective for me every time.

      Yes you good and bad fear makes perfect sense. If I was worried about the outcome for me that would be “bad” fear. For me that fear is “control” ha, another thing I’m good at:)
      You made me cry at the end of your comment. I feel lucky to have Andrew. He’s a clone of Hubs…generous, big hearted, kind and loving. xo

  • Victor May 28, 2013, 7:14 pm

    Prayers and well wishes to you and your family, Tess! I like your attitude about the whole situation. Fear can be a paralyzer, and I like your approach. I wish you all the best. 🙂

    • Tess June 1, 2013, 4:54 am

      Victor,
      Thanks for your well wishes and prayers. We appreciate them.

  • Fran Sorin May 29, 2013, 12:47 am

    Tess-
    As I wrote yesterday, this is one of your best and most moving posts.
    I love the way you positioned and gave strategies on dealing with fear. It is a part of almost everyone’s life – common sense step by step techniques can be incredibly helpful rather than overwhelming.

    You and Andrew – what a beautiful story. Of course, I’ll pray. He is one lucky youn man to have you as his grandmother. With love -Fran

  • Susan May 30, 2013, 6:53 pm

    Sending you and Andrew lots of love and light. I am seeing the family filled with joy seeing him smiling as he enjoys his life. His recovery is easy, effortless,smooth and filled with joy. Angels are every where, especially when you ask them to help. I see them guiding the surgeon and filling his hospital room with their love and light.

    Tess you are an inspiration
    With love, Susan

    • Tess June 1, 2013, 4:55 am

      Susan,
      Thanks for sending the angels and love and holing our vision. I appreciate you. xo

  • Jen May 31, 2013, 3:22 pm

    My son had this surgery two years ago when he was 17. As painful as the recovery was for him (and for us to see him in pain) we focused on the desired outcome. He says now that he is glad we went through with it. My prayers are with your family.

    • Tess June 1, 2013, 4:56 am

      Jen,

      Thanks so much for you thoughts and prayers. We appreciate you.

  • Sandy May 31, 2013, 8:12 pm

    Tess…you have been such an inspiration to me. What you do here is remarkable and such good work that I have recommended others to your awesome site. I have NEVER commented on anyone’s website before, but I want to let you know that I had a rod placed in my back 2 decades ago. It was painful, I wore a brace for a long time thereafter, but today I have no restrictions and am very thankful my mom helped me make that decision at 13 years of age. No back pain, no curvature to this day, no regrets – only gratitude. I wish your grandson and family the best and will keep you in prayer.

    Andrew is blessed to have you believing in him and for him! What a strong young man – just like you!

    Thank you for blowing wind in my sails!

  • Jessie June 13, 2013, 8:10 am

    Excellent outlook and way to use positive visualizations to create that movie with the best of endings! Hope everything is playing out exactly as envisioned!

  • Michelle December 23, 2013, 6:45 pm

    Brilliant post, Tess. “The same force that holds the stars in the sky and turns an acorn into an oak tree are at work beyond what you can comprehend.” Amen, sistah! 🙂 Sending prayers to Andrew.

    • Tess December 23, 2013, 6:53 pm

      Thanks Michelle. Can’t wait until you’re back in AZ and we can go to Gangplank or any coffee house that can handle our laughter and energy!!

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