Throwback to 2015: The Scary, Ghouly Part of the Year
Ten years later, this message still resonates—fear can feel bigger than it is, but when we bring love, courage, and gratitude, we always find our way back.
When my children were growing up, Halloween didn’t wait for October 31st—it began in late September! Out came the plastic bins of cobwebs, pumpkins, and skeletons as early as possible. One of our family’s favorite spooky traditions was “Booing.”
If you’re not familiar, booing is like reverse Trick-or-Treating. You ring a doorbell, leave a treat on the doorstep, and tuck in a little ghost sign that says “You’ve been booed!” Then, it’s their turn to keep the fun going by booing another house. (You can even find printables here: beenbooed.com)
But here’s the line I want you to really hear: we began scaring ourselves with our planning.
That anticipation—the “what ifs,” the plotting, the nervous energy—was often scarier than the actual action itself.
And isn’t that the truth in life, too?
After my first pregnancy loss, the fear I carried was paralyzing. The more I tried to will myself forward, the more stuck I became—trapped in a cycle of fear and self-shame. I eventually realized that those dark emotions—fear, grief, sadness—are as much a part of us as the light and love. When we push them away, we “fall from loving ourselves fully,” as John Lennon once said.
Just like booing, life is about both giving and receiving. You give a little treat, and sure enough, someone gives back. Healing works the same way—you have to offer yourself gifts of hope, courage, and love, even while sitting with fear or sadness.
Fear, at its root, pulls us away from faith. We lose sight of the truth that all is well. But as Jack Canfield so wisely put it, “Everything you want is on the other side of fear.”
When fear rises, let gratitude and action bring you back into your heart. Remember: your present moment is shaped by past thoughts and choices—but your next moment can be shaped by a brand-new choice.
So this October, let’s not let fear keep us from faith, joy, or new beginnings. Don’t let fear stand in your way. (There’s a lot of it being tossed at us!)
Want more reflections on facing fear and finding hope? Visit my Sparkle Up Blog for more inspiration and resources to support your healing journey.
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