Fear or Truth

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Friday, August 8

I heard a phrase (a formula, really) last week that I thought was powerful.

Imagination + Fear = Anxiety 

Which, if you think about it, makes perfect sense.

Imagination isn't the enemy. Wondering or dreaming about the future isn’t bad. It’s a superpower. It’s necessary. But what you pair it with is what matters.

Think about your last spiral. Your mind started writing worst-case stories: What if I fail? What if they leave? What if it all falls apart? You were rehearsing a future where you're powerless, and that combination of imagination + fear created anxiety.

But when you add truth to imagination? Everything shifts.

Imagination + Truth = Peace

Imagination + truth says: "I might not have all the answers, but I'm not alone." "I've been through storms before, I'll make it through this one." "I don't feel ready, but I am capable." “Even if it doesn’t go as planned, I can find a way through.”

Truth is simple: You've handled hard things before. Most of what we worry about never happens (some studies suggest 97% of our fears never come true). You're more resilient than your fear gives you credit for. Worrying about the problem that will never happen forces you to waste unnecessary time and energy.

Your imagination doesn't need to stop running - it just needs better fuel.

Notice the stories your mind is telling you. Then ask: "Is this fear speaking? Or truth?"

Choose to imagine what's possible when truth drives the bus, not fear.
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Keep chopping wood. 🪵🪓

-Kevin