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The Positive Side of Fear

“It is good to have fear, because it keeps you alert and on guard. It is when you think you completely know the beast that you will fail…” (Kuruk, The Portal)

The Positive Side of Fear

“It is good to have fear, because it keeps you alert and on guard. It is when you think you completely know the beast that you will fail…” (Kuruk, The Portal)

Fear is a complicated emotion; it is also a natural reaction when faced with something threatening. However, when not dealt with properly, it can overtake your rational mind and enable you to make rash decisions.

Nevertheless, here are some positive sides to fear we should keep in mind:

It serves as a warning.

Our biological instincts have evolved for us to detect danger or anything that is threatening to our well-being. Fear is a natural reaction to such a threat. When we can identify it with rationality, we can take the necessary steps to overcome it.
It heightens our awareness.

Knowing what is dangerous can be beneficial, especially when we can never be too sure about the future. When we become aware of our fears, we begin to learn of the strengths needed to overcome them.
It enlightens us.

Learning our fear and understanding that it is subjective keeps us enlightened. When we are aware of fear, we also are aware of some areas we need to improve on. For instance, people who fear failure may take this as an opportunity to learn how to be less of a perfectionist to deal better with their perceived failures.
It helps us focus.

Knowing what we don’t want to happen narrows our focus and leaves us concentrating on what we truly want. If we do not wish for “x” to happen, then we make sure we do our best to achieve “y.” This step makes it easier for us to keep in line with our personal goals.

Fear is complicated, but it can also have many benefits. With careful introspection and understanding, we can use that fear to our advantage and enable ourselves to transcend such emotions. When we overcome our fears, we become better.

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Donna Villani

How to Prepare for a Trip

Much of my story in “The Portal” takes place in the desert. The Armstrongs, the Bolovichs, the O’Donnells, and the LaFarges have all made preparations as they get readied for the trip, which could take months as they head off on a wagon train.

Donna Villani

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How to Prepare for a Trip

Regardless of the length of your trip or where you are going, you can still benefit from some preparation. Here are some handy tips to keep in mind:

* Research your destination first. If you are traveling to a different country, learn about the local weather, the culture, and the location around your hotel first. That way, you can prevent getting lost or being potentially scammed.

* Keep documents and copies secure. Passports, identification cards, and bank statements should be kept in a secured folder. It also helps to make extra copies. This step is to ensure that during the immigration check, you are well-prepared and ready after a long flight.

* Make sure your money and supplies are plentiful. Call your bank and phone provider and inform them of your travel plans ahead of time. Certain companies may freeze up accounts if they suspect potential identity theft overseas, so keep that in mind.

* Keep contact details of your country’s nearest embassy office. Many countries often have embassies and consulates for visiting foreigners and the like. Make sure to keep note of their contact information just in case of any emergency.

* Consider travel insurance. One can never be too prepared, including your health and safety. Many traveling agencies often include travel insurance in their booking package. Still, it also helps to shop around for better deals. Make sure such insurance is acceptable in the foreign country and your own.

Traveling can be a great and exciting way to decompress. Regardless, one should always take the time to prepare things as early as a month before the scheduled trip. Stay safe!

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Donna Villani

Dealing with Grief After Losing a Loved One

Losing a loved one can be a traumatic experience for everyone involved. In my book, “The Portal,” Colleen Armstrong lost her sister, Jeanette, one night after she had difficulty delivering her son.

Donna Villani

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Dealing with Grief After Losing a Loved One

Losing a loved one can be a traumatic experience for everyone involved. In my book, “The Portal,” Colleen Armstrong lost her sister, Jeanette, one night after she had difficulty delivering her son. Geoff Banks, Jeanette’s husband, left his newborn son in Colleen’s care as he left Driftwood for eight years, promising to return after he processed his grief.

When left uncared for, grief can take a toll on your health and sometimes your life. Here are some tips on how you can process such an event:

* Allow Yourself to Process Your Thoughts and Emotions. The initial reaction after hearing the news can vary among individuals. From sadness to disbelief and even anger, the best thing to do is to allow yourself to feel these emotions as honestly as possible. Just ensure not to harm anyone in your wake if you think you cannot process your feelings.

* Seek Emotional Support. Once the emotional reactions have died down, consider seeking emotional support from family, friends, and professional help. Whatever the case, airing out your grievances can be a great way to come to terms with your loved one’s death.

* Prepare for Painful Reminders. Grief comes in waves of pain, enduring love, and the memories you have with them when they were around. Instead of running away from reminders of their existence, remind yourself that traces of their presence still live within you. It will be hard at first, but eventually, things will improve for the better.

Celebrate Your Loved One’s Life. Both death and life are inevitable. While we can no longer bring our loved ones back, we can still honor and celebrate the life they had led by keeping their memories alive for their friends and family members. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t move on. Instead, we should still carry their memory with us as we move forward.

The process of grief can be a highly emotional journey. However, keep in mind that help is always readily available. If you find yourself experiencing possible symptoms of depression, contact your nearest mental health care provider.

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