book review: how not to be afraid

title: How Not To Be Afraid
author: Gareth Higgins
publisher: Broadleaf Books
date: 2021

Growing up near war-torn Belfast, Gareth Higgins was schooled in suspicion, mistrust, and paranoia. He offers in this book, which is definitely not a "self-help" book, a way of moving forward in the midst of fear.

In this book, Gareth tells a series of stories rooted in his personal experience and shaped by reflection on violence, conflict transformation, and trauma recovery, he examines vulnerability as strength to address seven common fears that plague most, if not all of us, at some point in our lives, the fear... 

• of being alone, 
• of having done something that can't be fixed
• of a meaningless life
• of not having enough, 
• that you'll be broken forever
• of the world
• of death

Gareth doesn't write describing ways to combat fear but rather he describes living in a way that is bigger than fear, a way so full of love and care for this world, that fear is decreased. 

Early in the book, Gareth writes about the stories we tell ourselves:

“Stories of connection, courage, creativity, and the common good are more true but less frequently told. Given that the brain more easily recalls shocks than wisdom and notices spectacular more easily than gradual change, these better stories need to be spoken more often with more imagination. That doesn’t always mean they need to be longer. Love your neighbor as yourself is a very short story indeed, but it may contain the secret of how all life can experience its own abundance.”

Gareth draws us into habits of hope that are rooted in Celtic spirituality and the mysteries of love.

After looking at each of these seven fears, Gareth offers a practical way of not to be afraid.

Then at the very end, he offers a series of blessings in light of these fears.

You may not agree with all of Gareth's conclusions and approach, but this is a book that is worth reading & reflecting on

#hownottobeafriad