Photo taken by Nicole Wolcott.

“The ego is terrified of the unknown. No matter how terrible the known past is, your ego prefers it to the unknown present. All of its energy goes in to trying to make the present into the past. Although it tries to create safety, in truth it creates continued terror. Outwardly, life seems safe and predictable. Inwardly, the dynamic had been lit. No matter how many times your fear pushes you out of the present moment, it inevitably brings you into it full force, because the price of denial is pain.   Paul Ferrini, Reflections Of  The Christ Mind, Present Day Teachings Of Jesus, page 225.

“Fear stops a lot of people. Fear of failure, of the unknown, of risk. And it masks itself as procrastination.”  Lisa Anderson

“I have not ceased being fearful, but I have ceased to let fear control me. I have accepted fear as part of life specifically fear of change and fear of the unknown; and I have gone ahead despite the pounding in the heart that says, turn back, turn back, you’ll die if you venture too far.”  Erica Jong

“Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly knowing that I am with you, therefore no harm can befall you; all is very, very well. Do this in complete faith and confidence.”  Pope Jon Paul ll

“If we fear the unknown then surely we fear ourselves.”  Brayant H. McGill

“Hence is it that we make trifles of terrors, ensconcing ourselves into seeming knowledge when we should submit ourselves to an unknown fear.”  William Shakespeare

“It’s fear of the unknown. The unknown is what it is. And to be frightened of it is what sends everybody scurrying around chasing dreams, illusions, wars, peace, love, hate, all that – it’s all illusion. Unknown is what it is. Accept that it’s unknown and its plain sailing. Everything is unknown – then you’re ahead of the game. That’s what it is…Right?  John Lennon

“To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.”   Bertrand Russell

Photo taken by Nicole Wolcott

“The fountainhead of love is within your own heart. Don’t look to others to provide the love you need. Don’t blame others for withholding their love from you. You don’t need their love. You need your love. Love is a gift you can give yourself. Give it to yourself and  the universe resounds with a big “Yes!” Withhold it and the game of hide-and-seek continues: “Looking for love in all the wrong places.”  page 192

“When you finally realize that no one else can redeem you or betray you, your relationship to other people changes profoundly. They simply become friends, neighbors, fellow-travelers. A new and healthy sense of boundaries is established in your relationships. You don’t blame others for your pain. You don’t try to make them responsible for your happiness. You become capable of being a friend and receiving the fruits of friendship from others. Others no longer have to be perfect in your eyes. You see their shortcomings and mistakes without judging them harshly. You see their beauty and integrity without needing to possess them.”  page 192

“All who seek the sky without getting roots in the earth will be beat up by their experiences. In time they will return, shovels in hand, and begin the work of planting. There are no wings without roots, except for birds. And they make sure they take shelter in trees with deep roots in the ground. All that is spinning out to heaven will fall to earth, abused, shattered and forsaken. That which is rootless will learn to grow roots. That which has sought authority without will learn to find it within. And then with feet firmly planted in the earth, the eyes will notice the procession of the sun and moon. The senses will feel the rise of the sap in the spring and the lifting of leaves in the fall. Blood and breath will be restored. Rhythm will return. Safety will be re-created where it authentically lies, in the heart of each person.”   page 193 & 194

Paul Ferrini, Reflections Of The Christ Mind, The Present – Day Teachings Of Jesus, Chapter: Learning to Care for Self.

Photo taken by Nicole Wolcott.

“Our willingness to look into the abyss places us at the edge of awakening. It is in the face of danger that we either do or die. And when forced to confront our fears, our only recourse is to step in to the abyss, to surrender and let go. Conflict leads to rebirth and transformation. It is only in the presence of challenging circumstances that we awaken to the possibilities of the moment. Because heaven is the realm of infinite possibilities, danger forces us to break new ground, to discover latent resources. Conflict stretches us, forcing us at times to adapt, to learn, or to yield.”  page 67

“There is an ancient Chinese saying -’embrace the tiger/return to the mountain’- from the martial art tai chi chuan that suggests a methodology for managing conflict. If to ‘return to the mountain’ is synonymous with equanimity, peace, and harmony, the ancients believed that it could only be realized by becoming present to life, by embracing the ‘tigers’ that crossed one’s path.”  page 69

“If your soul is a force within you that seeks to push you toward ever – increasing levels of spiritual growth and development, then your resistance to this pressure is what produces discomfort, stress, and ultimately the storm. When you resist the movement of Spirit, you create friction, heat, and conflict. When you struggle with conditions that challenge or threaten you, you invariably reinforce their presence in your life.”  page 70

Gary Simmons, The I of the Storm, Embracing Conflict, Creating Peace.