Fear is weight

I was listening to The Story the other night and the host was interviewing a woman who did speed hiking. She hiked the Appalachian Trail at a rate of 38 miles a day for 57 days. That in itself is incredible, but this woman also said something that really resonated with me. She said that people on the trail say that fear is weight. If you're afraid you're going to be cold, you pack extra clothes. If you're afraid of going hungry, you pack too much food. The emotion of fear translates into a more difficult and strenuous experience on the trail because you carry more stuff than you need. The stuff assuages our fear but it makes life less enjoyable.

How do your fears translate into stuff that weighs you down?

Here's another way to look at it. If you believe that you will be fine regardless of what the world throws your way, if you believe in the universe's ability to provide what you need, then you don't need stuff. Without stuff, you're physically lighter, and without fear you're emotionally and mentally lighter. Belief in having your needs met is lightness. It's freedom. How much more enjoyable is it to travel down that amazing beautiful and interesting trail of life without fear and stuff weighing you down?

Creative Commons photo posted to flickr by Krug6
Lelah Baker-Rabe is a Los Angeles-based professional organizer. To discuss your organizing needs, call her at 818.269.6671 or email lelah@lelahwithanh.com. Sign up for Lelah's News, a once-monthly newsletter.