Escaping Cape Fear: 9 Ways To Not Let Fear Stop You

Cape Fear. It’s not only a physical place in North Carolina and a movie by Martin Scorsese, but it’s an imaginary place we create in our minds. It has treacherous waters on three sides and our biggest fears blocking our only route out.

On the other side of these fears is everything we desire; from our dream job to immense success to happiness. So how do we get to the other side? We need to escape!

Here are 9 ways to go about it and not let fear stop you.

1. Understand that fear is your greatest obstacle

Not the lack of knowledge, money, success, or the circumstances you’re facing can stop you from achieving what you desire like fear. Fear not only stops you, but it paralyzes you.

What’s great is that YOU create your fears, so YOU can beat them.

2. Laugh

If you can make fun of yourself and make others laugh during a nerve-racking experience, fear basically disappears. And if you think about it, laughter is more powerful than fear. It can change lives and bring people together.

3. Face fear directly

How do you achieve success?

You face the hard work and persistence it takes to get there.

How do you get over your past?

You face your memories.

So how do you overcome fear?

You’ve got to stare it right in the face and smell its stinky breath.

How do you stare fear in its face? There’s no clear cut way to do it. It varies so much because of different situations. But the most common instance when one needs to face fear is during a desperate moment. Moments when you’re either going to make it or break it. These times are often difficult to plan for.

However, you’ll know when you need to face fear right at eye level. It’s a personal experience and no one can tell you when and how to really do it.

4. Know that fear means you’re doing new things

If you want the same ol’, you do the same ol’. But if you want to change something in your life, you must try and do new things. Doing things you’ve never done in your life will produce fear.

So if you’re fearful, you might actually be on a good path.

5. Don’t tell others you’re scared

You might not completely agree with this, but don’t always tell other people that you’re scared or fearful of something. When you do, you give yourself permission to display your nervousness and fears, and you set yourself up to make mistakes.

There are plenty of ways to relieve your nerves and stress without you directly telling others. Stretching and deep breaths can help.

6. Compare the fear with your end result

When confronted with a fear take a few moments and compare the fear with the end result on the other side.

Is the time and energy you put into the fear worth destroying your dreams, goals, successes, and hard work you put in? I highly doubt it. Realizing this will push you to just go for it!

7. Acknowledge that fear exists for a reason

Not only does having fear mean that you’re human and not a robot, but fear is also one of those necessary obstacles that separates those who want something from those who have a burning desire for that same something.

If there was no fear every single person in this world would be hugely successful.

8. Think back

Think back to a time or times when you let fear get the best of you. What did you miss out on? What opportunities passed you by?

Don’t get frustrated with your past mistakes, but don’t allow fear to force you to repeat them.

9. Remind yourself that you’ve got one shot!

Life doesn’t last for very long. We need to remind ourselves of this all the time.

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NY eatery frees ancient lobster

Large lobsters are usually too big to get caught in traps

A lobster believed to be some 140 years old is to be freed from the confines of a tank at a New York restaurant.

George the giant lobster, weighing 9kg (20lb), will be returned to the ocean, from where he was caught two weeks ago.

The crustacean was bought for $100 (£66) by the City Crab and Seafood and quickly adopted as its mascot, posing for pictures with restaurant patrons.

But animal rights group Peta sought the lobster's release, and will now put it back into the waters off Maine.

It will enter the ocean in the waters around Kennebunkport, where lobster trapping is banned.

George was originally caught off Newfoundland, Canada, and has spent about 10 days in the tank at City Crab and Seafood.

These intriguing animals don't deserve to be confined to tiny tanks or boiled alive Ingrid Newkirk Peta

The approximate age of a lobster can be deduced from its weight.

Restaurant manager Keith Valenti said there was never any intent to harm the lobster, and the decision to keep it in the tank was made to offer customers a little something extra.

"We bought a big lobster, started taking pictures with kids and it worked out real well," Mr Valenti told Reuters news agency.

But it was a "no brainer", he added, to agree to the request to return George to the ocean.

"We never intended him to be sold, just draw attention to the restaurant, and he did."

Ingrid Newkirk, of Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) praised the decision.

"We applaud the folks at City Crab and Seafood for their compassionate decision to allow this noble old-timer to live out his days in freedom and peace.

"We hope that their kind gesture serves as an example that these intriguing animals don't deserve to be confined to tiny tanks or boiled alive."

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