Fear | The Joyful Springer

Let Your Hair Stand On End

Posted November 20, 2010 By Ande and has 6 comments.

When we step out of our comfort zone, we feel fear. Unfortunately, we often use that fear as an excuse to crawl back to the familiar and abandon the adventures and triumphs we could have had.

Joyful Springers let their hair stand on end. They feel fear, but they they do what scares them in spite of that fear.

Of course, in life or death situations, fear can guide you away from danger. But in day to day life, fear can be a false warning sign. Fear isn’t necessarily an imperative to stop. It can simply be a reaction to unfamiliarity. Acknowledge the fear and keep moving toward your goals.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[When Ducky's hair gets long, it tends to stand up on top and give her a unicorn sort of look. I fashioned it into a Mohawk one day, she humored me.]

Would your dog like to be a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer? All dogs can fit the definition of a Joyful Springer. Click here to find out how to submit your photo.

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Categories: Action, Courage, Fear, Springer Spaniel

Tags: comfort zone, Courage, English springer spaniel, Fear, feel the fear and do it anyway, Joy, spaniels, springer spaniels, springers

Think Warm, Fuzzy Thoughts

Posted August 21, 2010 By Ande and has no comments yet.

Our minds can be our strongest asset. They can also be our greatest enemy. Our minds become our enemy when we use them to generate thoughts that create fear.

Some fear–like that created by a true life or death situation–is appropriate and useful. Most fear, though, isn’t helpful at all. It’s False Evidence Appearing Real. We look at events in our lives and spin imaginary scenarios from those events, guessing at what awful things could happen. These imaginary scenarios aren’t real, but we make them seem real with our thoughts.

Joyful Springers think warm, fuzzy thoughts. They don’t waste their mind power on thoughts that make them fearful. They choose thoughts that make them feel secure, strong, and happy.

Your mind is yours to control. You can choose your thoughts. Choose the ones that make you feel good, and you’ll find that life will bring you warm, fuzzy experiences to match your focus.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Muggins always had warm, fuzzy thoughts, even when I put stuffed animals on her head.]

Would your dog like to be a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer? All dogs can fit the definition of a Joyful Springer. Click here to find out how to submit your photo.

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Categories: Dogs, Fear, Focus, Mind power, Springer Spaniel

Tags: Dogs, English springer spaniel, false evidence appearing real, Fear, Joy, mind power, spaniel, springer, Springer Spaniel, springers

Perk Up Chickens

Posted April 4, 2010 By Ande and has no comments yet.

When people are scared, what do you do? Do you commiserate with them and tell them they have every right to be afraid? Well, that’s compassionate and everything, but what about telling them about all the things in the world that are safe and wonderful?

Joyful Springers perk up chickens. They don’t join fearful people in their fear; they pull fearful people into their world of joy.

The best thing you can do for others is share your happiness. So on this blessed Easter Sunday, be joyful and spread the joy around.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer spaniel.

Would your dog like to be a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer? All dogs can fit the definition of a Joyful Springer. Click here to find out how to submit your photo.

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Categories: Courage, Dogs, Joy, Springer Spaniel

Tags: Dogs, easter sunday, English springer spaniel, Fear, Joy, spaniels, spread the joy, springer

Have Courage

Posted March 2, 2010 By Ande and has no comments yet.

Are you peering into the future and shaking in your, uh, paws? Fear can rob you of joy faster than pretty much anything.

Courage, however, which is turning that fear into a positive focus, can keep you in joy no matter what’s happening.

Calvin Coolidge said, “If you see ten troubles coming down the road, you can be sure that nine will run into the ditch before they reach you.”

Joyful Springers look into the future with positive expectations.

When you feel fear, remind yourself that you’re projecting thoughts about what might happen. And if you’re going to do that, why not project thoughts about something good?