Unlocking the Secret to Overcoming Fear and Embracing Happiness

Andy Crooks writing as Andy C
2 min readFeb 8, 2024

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Happiness and fear have nothing in common except the solution.

twin faces showing happiness and fear

When I am happy, I am the subject; I am doing something. When I am full of fear, I am the object; something is acting on me.

When happy, I am the agent; I am the actor. I have responsibility for my state. In fear, I am not the agent; I am the victim.

When I am happy, I am in the moment. I am fully present and aware. Fearful, I am in the future. I apprehend that something terrible will happen.

I can create happiness. But fear comes upon me whether I want it or not.

Happiness is conscious, while fear comes from a deep place within.

Finally, though it could be called an emotion, happiness feels more like a state of being. Fear could also be called an emotion, but it seems more like a mood.

Happiness and fear have nothing in common: Happiness is a state of consciousness. Fear is a mood of the soul.

They have nothing in common except the solution.

At any time, to become happy, I can love and serve. When I take the time to work with someone who needs help, I am completely happy, engaged and in the flow of life. I am made happy by taking the call of a troubled friend and spending time listening with compassion.

To eliminate fear, I can love and serve. If I am in a state of fear, for any reason, an act of service and love dissolves it. Looking to help someone, perhaps driving and looking for a chance to be courteous to another driver eliminates my fear.

Fear and happiness have nothing in common, but they share a common solution, love and service.

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Andy Crooks writing as Andy C

For Andy C, not drinking was the first spiritual awakening. He’s been blessed with subsequent spiritual awakenings as the results of the 12 steps.