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Patrick Muindi's avatar

A very interesting exposition, my friend.

Fear doesn't prevent the things we fear from happening, but it does lead to bad choices, the type that create bad things and scenarios. We may not be courageous enough to tame fear and choose love, but we should want to avoid the downsides of a love-poor fear-rich life.

Most things aren't as bad as they seem; most fear is irrational in the long run. Thanks for this, Tinashe.

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Tinashe D. Ndhlovu's avatar

You are right; fear often leads to poor choices and unnecessary suffering. Another perspective is that fear can also guide us, showing us where growth is needed. When we acknowledge it without letting it control us, we transform it into wisdom. Awareness is key. Appreciate your thoughtful insight, my friend.🙏🏼

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Sharon's avatar

This essay packs a punch! We cannot control the world byt we can definitely control our perception and our reactions. Thank you, Tinashe.

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Tinashe D. Ndhlovu's avatar

You have captured it perfectly - we may not control the world, but our perception and reactions shape our experience. The real power lies in how we choose to see and respond. Grateful for your insight and engagement. I appreciate your support, Sharon :-).

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𝓙𝓪𝓼𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓮 𝓦𝓸𝓵𝓯𝓮's avatar

🎯

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Tinashe D. Ndhlovu's avatar

Thanks, Jasmine.

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Adam PT's avatar

Fantastic ideas, Tinashe. I enjoy the choice aspect through this article. Because how our minutes and days unfold for us is, quite frankly, a choice. Even if that’s just in how we observe.

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Tinashe D. Ndhlovu's avatar

I'm happy you connected with the idea of choice in the essay. It’s powerful to realize that even when we can’t control circumstances, we can always choose how we see and respond to them. This aligns perfectly with your Choice Series; awareness alone can shift everything. I truly appreciate your insight, Adam.

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Emma Barnafo's avatar

This really resonates. I touched on something similar in my latest piece — The Great Thaw, where I discuss how stepping out of old narratives creates space for something new.

Amazing how much shifts when we pause and observe instead of reacting.

I really enjoyed this read!

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Tinashe D. Ndhlovu's avatar

I'm glad it resonates. The Great Thaw sounds like a powerful reflection - stepping out of old narratives truly creates space for something new. Another perspective is that not all old narratives need to be discarded; some hold wisdom that can guide us forward. The key is choosing what serves growth. I value your insight and look forward to reading your piece. Grateful for your engagement, my friend.

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Bri's avatar

Deep gratitude for this message coming out today. 🙏🏻

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Tinashe D. Ndhlovu's avatar

I'm grateful this message resonated with you today. Sometimes, the right words come at the right time. I wish you clarity, peace, and the courage to choose love over fear in every moment. I appreciate your support Bri. :-).

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Bri's avatar

🙏🏻

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Yolanda Valdés's avatar

Fantastic essay Tinashe! By choosing how we want to be in a certain situation, we can choose our reactions in a given circumstance. I rather choose love rather than fear. Thank you, Tinashe.. 🙏🏽

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Tinashe D. Ndhlovu's avatar

Agreed - Love always leads to a lighter, freer path. Grateful for your insight as always, Yoli :-).

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Marisa Victus's avatar

So true, Tinashe. Fear can have such tremendous power to cloud our judgment, but only if we allow it to. Better to practice pausing and lead with love and understanding. Loved this post

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Tinashe D. Ndhlovu's avatar

Fear only has power when we let it. Pausing and choosing love brings clarity and connection. I am glad it resonates and thank you for being here Marisa :-).

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Chris Anselmo's avatar

This is great, Tinashe. It seems fear is the root of so much of what ails us these days. I know I'm guilty of letting it control me way more than I'd like.

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Tinashe D. Ndhlovu's avatar

Fear is sneaky - it creeps in more than we realize. But awareness is the first step to reclaiming control. Every moment is a chance to choose differently. Thank you for your engagement Chris , :-).

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Jonathan Matei's avatar

Wow, this really hit home. I love how you captured that moment in traffic and connected it to the battles we all carry inside. The way you shifted the focus to choosing peace instead of conflict was so powerful. What’s one small mindset shift that’s helped you find more peace in your own life?

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Tinashe D. Ndhlovu's avatar

Thank you so much. I’m glad it resonated. I am glad to have you here, Jonathan.

One small mindset shift that’s helped me is pausing before reacting - taking a breath, observing my thoughts, and choosing a response rooted in peace rather than fear. It changes everything; it is a constant practise. What about you?

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

"Have you ever let a moment of rejection or failure define your mood for an entire day? This is the war we fight within ourselves." Tinashe, this rang true for me I've often heard we are our own worst enemies re rejection and/or failure. The talk we talk to ourselves, which we must learn to shift. Good reminder, thank you! Also, the pause idea. One thing I have found though over the years is that I usually now speak what I feel. Figure, if they don't like it, we can have a discussion. (but I'm out of the work force now, so that may not be as easy for others).

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Tinashe D. Ndhlovu's avatar

Agreed - our self-talk shapes so much of our experience, and learning to shift it is key. Speaking your truth is powerful, and discussion fosters understanding. The pause helps us respond with intention, though in the workplace, that might be an HR issue 😂. Grateful for your insight and perspective, Jeanine.

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Harun Kewa's avatar

Tremendous piece, my friend! The war within is the hardest we will ever fight.

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Tinashe D. Ndhlovu's avatar

The inner battle is the toughest but also the most transformative. I am glad it resonates with my friend.

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Harun Kewa's avatar

You’re welcome, buddy!

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Raquel M. Jones's avatar

Excellent read, Tinashe. Yes, I agree with you that we are all trapped in our own minds so much that we cannot see outside of our minds. When we make decisions out of fear, it can lead to regret. We shouldn't try to avoid fear but use it to our advantage. Many of the decisions I made because I was afraid led to regret, but even still a BIG life lesson. Thanks for sharing your beautiful thoughts. ❤️

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Tinashe D. Ndhlovu's avatar

You captured it perfectly - fear-based decisions often lead to regret, but even in those moments, there’s growth. Fear isn’t the enemy; it can be a guide if we learn from it rather than letting it control us. Grateful for your insight and wisdom, Raquel M. Jones🙏🏼

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Anton's avatar

This one stirred something deep. The line “fear feeds on time—dwelling in the past and fixating on the future” felt like a mirror. You captured perfectly how fear isn’t just an emotion—it’s a habit we unconsciously rehearse until it feels like truth.

What I appreciate most is the invitation to observe without reacting. That small pause changes everything. I’ve felt the shift myself: when I stop clinging to judgment or control, life gets quieter—and strangely, more spacious.

Also, love that you framed peace not as something to find, but something we uncover. That’s real.

Thank you for writing with such clarity and heart. This piece doesn’t just speak—it transforms.

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rmngunze@gmail.com's avatar

Fear is prison.

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