BiggerPockets

In your mind... what is the opposite of fear?

Interesting question. The first thing that comes to mind is courage. But, I don't think courage is the opposite of fear, but rather action even in the face of fear. My next thought is stupidity. If you're faced with a raging bear, fear is entirely appropriate, as is running away. Or whatever it is you do when you're faced with a bear. Charging up to the bear would be just stupid.

I think your question may pertain to fear about making real estate investments. John points out fear may come from not knowing. I would say that even when armed with all the facts, there can still be fear. Investments have a wide range of risk. We've been trained to equate high risk with high return, which I think has been transmuted into high risk investments guarantee high return. Of course that's not the case. So, there is a legitimate reason to have fears, or concerns, or whatever you want to call them when investing in real estate or any other high risk investment. You need to examine yourself and decide if such investments, and the accompanying potential for lost sleep, are appropriate for you.

Jon

I think the opposite of fear is freedom. I don't think fear is good in any situation, no matter what. Fear doesn't make you feel good, your insides turn over, and you focus on worst case situations. You don't want fear no matter what, because fear does NOT let you think clearly.

I say the opposite is freedom because that is what you have when you don't let fear stop you. You are free to accomplish your goals (Not just REI, but everything), and to live your life the way you dreamed of. I had a huge fear of rejection, hearing the word 'no'. It feels good once you aren't being held hostage by a stupid fear your mind created.

These are two things I do each day:

(Atman means your soul)
1.) Start the anti-current from today. Deny the body, and identify yourself with the all pervading, immortal, fearless Atman. Entire denial of the body cannot come in a day or a week. Constantly think of the Atman. Gradually you will become fearless. You will have to fight against the Samskaras of Anadikala (beginningless time). The more you think of Atman, the more courageous you will become. By constant hammering only can you entirely drive the nail into the wall or a plank. Even so, by constant and protracted thinking on Atman alone you can become absolutely fearless.

2.) Sit with closed eyes in the early morning. Meditate on courage, the opposite of fear, for half an hour. Think of the advantages of courage and the disadvantages of fear. Practice the virtue during the day. Feel that you actually possess courage to an enormous degree. Manifest it in your daily life. In some weeks or months fear will be replaced by courage. Repeat the formula "Om courage" mentally, daily several times.

I hope this helps someone out there.

I think the opposite of fear is faith. I'm a spiritual person, so not only do I mean faith in God, but faith in yourself. Faith is what causes you to take that first step despite not knowing what the outcome may be. Fear is what paralyzes alot of people from taking that first step to start investing and its the best friend of " shoulda, coulda, woulda." Once I got it planted in my mind that I hated the feeling of " what if" more than I feared the feeling of failure, it made all the difference in how I not only approached real estate, but also life. I didn't mean to get TOO deep on you guys, but just throwing in my 2 cents.

RJ

Interesting replies. Thanks...

The opposite of fear is " rest" .

Only when you are at true " rest" has fear completely disappeared. Is that a good thing? Not necessarily - your own fears can be a handy tool when properly channeled.

Should have told Carly to eat something. She'd shake less.

Oh, now that was bad..... :lol:

A lot of faith, some knowledge, and a little action!!