"There is no such thing as a failed experiment. Only experiments with unexpected outcomes." - Buckminster Fuller, author and inventor

Just imagine the view if you approached each activity and interaction from this particular lookout point! The focus shifts from failure to curiosity - a subtle, yet vital sea change which helps to transport you into taking calculated risks - large and small - and doing the things that you want to do.

You'll feel free to explore, experiment and experience. Learning means something new. You may be rewarded with a a sense of satisfaction or even exhilaration as you jump into refreshing waters.

Fear is useful. It can save your life, but it can also limit your living. Fear can solidly anchor you to the known - a seemingly safe place to while away your time. But, there's growth beyond the tether.

Dissect your fear

Method A

On a regular basis, balance your nervous system by using the power of your heart. Not only do you address and undress your stress, you also enhance your performance. Some fears simply melt away, as if they were gently kissed by a Chinook wind.

With other fears, use awareness and consciously apply Method B.

Method B

1. Your sensory organs work provide you with environmental information. What you see, hear, smell, taste and touch is filtered by the Reticular Activating System (RAS).
2. A threat is deemed to be a high priority by the RAS. As a result, you become consciously aware of the danger.
3. Next, the information enters the amygdala, and is shunted to either the reactive brain or the reflective brain.
4. The Reactive brain is associated with the flight, fight or freeze response. The alarm has been raised and you come face to face with THE THREAT. Your body responds. Some of the changes that occur include:
   • An increase in heart rate and blood pressure in order to provide more blood to the muscles in the arms and legs so that you can respond to the threat.
   • Muscles tighten in preparation for action.
   • Shorter and more rapid breathing cycles help to supply oxygen to the bloodstream.
   • The endocrine system hears the call to action and floods your system with biochemicals, including cortisol - the stress hormone.
   • Decreases in function are noted in the immune, digestive, excretory and reproductive systems so that the the threat can be dealt with as effectively as possible.
5. The Reflective brain is where you have the ability to transform your stress by consciously using tools and techniques. Use your prefrontal cortex (PFC) to deliberately use all those wonderful brain functions that help you succeed in life. Go here to make better decisions, achieve your goals and moderate your behaviour.
6. Your resilience decreases with the constant activation of your autonomic nervous system and your world begins to shrink, and your Things to Fear List expands. To feel and do better, get curious about your fears. Is your fear of public speaking life threatening? Is fear putting the brakes on furthering your education? Have you always wanted to learn to swim, but have developed a fear of water through osmosis, likely from a parent or guardian who had that fear?

When you practice stress techniques that use the edifying power of the heart, you are able to use your PFC to:

• recognize a true threat;
• gather the necessary tools and resources to help you safely jump into something new.

Make a splash about that!

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