Don't Shrink + Don't Puff Up

In Chapter 13 of A Course in Miracles it says: “You have but two emotions, love and fear… and one you made (Fear/the ego) and one was given you (Love/God).”

Love or fear are the only two emotions that we as people fall under. Anything that doesn’t fall into the category of Love, automatically lands itself under the guise of fear. Fear can show up as so many things like; shame, blame, jealousy, rage, judgment, and feeling unworthy. There are many different masks that fear wears in reaction to our state of mind. When we’re in this reactionary state of fear (and also trauma) we trigger what is known as: The 4 F’s: Fight, Flight, Freeze or Fawn.

Today on The Karen Kenney Show, we’re talking about how a story I heard from author and researcher Brene’ Brown, inspired this episode of becoming more aware of our fear state so that we can stop ourselves from shrinking down or puffing up out of fear and instead make a conscious choice for Love to “stand on the sacred ground” that God you.

One where we can learn to internally diffuse a situation and keep ourselves from reacting in an unkind way that only makes the situation worse.

It's kind of a natural animal instinct to make ourselves big or small when we feel threatened or attacked. So it’s our job to train our mind to slow down and pause so we can choose how we want to proceed.

Are we going to come out swinging or put our dukes up out of fear? Or are we going to listen to our Inner Teacher of spirit and choose love? We can build the muscles that help us to attune and align ourselves to the emotion that was given to us: Love.

KK's Key Takeaways

Ego Writes The Story (4:01)

The 4 F’s Of Fear (7:15)

Going Back Into The Fold Can Be Tough (12:13)

Shift In Her Mind (17:53)

Threat Brings Anger (24:48)

I’ve Built Up A Muscle (33:01)

Karen Kenney is a certified Spiritual Mentor, author, speaker, and the host of The Karen Kenney Show Podcast. She’s also the founder of THE NEST - an online spiritual membership & community.

She’s been a student & guide of A Course in Miracles for close to three decades, a yoga teacher for 20+ years and is a longtime practitioner of Passage Meditation. She’s also a Gateless Writing Instructor & workshop facilitator and is currently working on a memoir.

KK grew up in Lawrence & Boston, MA, and graduated from BU with a degree in Communications. She’s known for her storytelling, her sense of humor, her love of the Divine and her “down-to-earth” practical approach to Spirituality. Her signature process: Your Story to Your Glory™ - helps people transform their old stories of victimization & suffering, so they can choose Love over fear, improve their most important relationships, deepen their connection to Self, Source & Spirit, and live from a place of forgiveness, flow, freedom & fun!

A sought-after speaker, spiritual teacher, and thought leader for podcasts, shows, live events, and mastermind programs, Karen's been invited to speak & teach on various platforms, stages & retreat centers across the country, including the renowned Omega Institute for Holistic Studies.

You can learn more & connect with KK at: www.karenkenney.com