Proposal and What It Means To Me

Fear is a part of everyday life. It is an emotions that can be helpful and harmful to an individual. Instinctually it keeps us aware of danger, such as the "fight or flight" response to keep us away from danger or defend ourselves from danger. To a certain point, fear can also motivate an individual to reach his or her goals. On the other hand, fear is able to immobilize us, and even propel us to do the wrong thing rather than help the situation. Fear is not based on reality, instead it is based on how our interpretation of reality.

I would like to know how an individual can overcome fear. When set out on a task, goal, or mission how does one find the courage to face the things they are up against? Does it take more than just courage? How about inspiration, determination, one's ideals, resilience, focus, etc.? Throughout this semester I will do my best to find and interpret these answers.

The reason for fear being my topic, comes from the fact that I am able to over stress about everything. Because of this stress, I have migraines. I have always had them ever since I was little. To be clear, do not confuse a migraine with a simple headache. I become very sick when I have them, and cannot do anything else except feel pain. I hope that through my research of fear and overcoming it will help me to learn how to stress less.

4 Internet Sources

What is Courage?

1. http://www.indianchild.com/character/courage.htm

2. http://drhelen.blogspot.com/2010/08/what-is-courage.html

3.http://www.spring.org.uk/2007/08/what-is-courage.php

4. http://onfaith.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/eboo_patel/2009/01/what_is_the_difference_between.html

Book Sources

Freedom From Fear
by Lester L. Coleman, M.D.

Understanding Fear: In Ourselves and In Others
by Bonaro W. Overstreet

Man's Unconscious Spirit
by Wilfred Lay

The Alchemy of Fear
by Kay Gilley

Assessment of Human Motives
by: Gordon W. Allport
      Raymond B. Cattell
      Leon Festinger
      Irving L. Janis
      George A. Kelly
      George S. Klein
      Gardner Lindzey
      Henry A. Murray
      Roy Schafer

Fight Your Fear and Win
by Don Greene, Ph.D.

Courage Images

holding up one's head

fortitude

lion-heartedness

unflinching

power

take heart

grit

guts

march up to the cannon's mouth

bold as a lion

take the bull by the horns

hero

achievement

fire eater

heart of oak

endurance

backbone

nerve

stick to one's guns

spirit

Fear Images

chicken-heartedness

afraid of one's own shadow

breathless

to have butterflies

scare

avoid

in a daze

tremble

alarm

breakout in sweat

shocking

throbbing heart

wilt

shrink

cower

panic

nightmare

faintheartedness

distress

cold feet

Courage

audacity
backbone
bravery
daring
endurance
guts
grit
nerve
tenacity
valor
gallantry
defiance
game
derring-do
heroism
chivalry
feat
resoluteness
lion-heartedness
power
spirit
fortitude
stick to one's guns
take the bull by the horns
take heart
fire eater
achievement
intrepidity
confidence
self-reliance
lion
hero
determination
heart of oak
firmness(stability)
man of mettle
virtue
persevere
holding up one's head
march up to the cannon's mouth
unflinching
bold as a lion

Fear

abhorrence
agitation
angst
anxiety
aversion
awe
bete noire
chickenheartedness
cold feet
cold sweat
concern
despair
discompose
dismay
disquietude
distress
doubt
dread
faintheartedness
foreboding
fright
funk
horror
jitters
misgivings
nightmare
panic
phobia
presentiment
qualm
recreancy
reverence
revulsion
scare
suspicion
terror
timidity
trembling
tremble
trepidation
unease
uneasiness
worry
cower
crouch
fret
break out in sweat
shrink
have butterflies
have qualms
wilt
avoid
turn pale
flight
falter
be in a daze
throbbing heart
alarm
afraid of one's shadow
shocking
breathless

Distilled Freewriting: Fear and Courage

Through brainstorming and freewriting, I couldn't stop from writing down all the things that I stress about. I just couldn't shake the topic from my mind. I began to wonder what was the main root of stress and anxiety. Fear is what I found. Of the things that I stress about, I know now that I am fearful of these things, and these fears have become burdens to me. I know  that fear can drive one toward their goals, but will that fear be enough to achieve one's goals. Why does the battle worn knight cling to his sword? Is it his courage in himself, or the fear of death? Why does the hero put on the cape? Is it fear for the innocent, or the courage to stand up for justice in times of need?  With the topic of fear and courage, I want to explore which aspect drives people more toward their goals and actions.