Answering Fear, Not Fleeing

Answering Fear, Not Fleeing

By Annette Camp 

September 6, 2025

Fear rises,

a familiar pull at the 

edges of my heart.

It whispers to retreat, 

to protect, to run before 

I feel the weight of loss again.

But this time, I pause.

I notice the tremor, the 

instinct to escape,

and instead of yielding,

I let the fear speak.

I listen.

I see what it carries—

memories, pain, patterns,

and I respond with 

awareness, not avoidance.

You lay out your truths 

like letters in a box,

folded carefully, honored

but not ruling the present.

I honor mine,

acknowledge the past,

and choose presence.

Together we step slowly,

with patience as our guide,

with words bridging 

uncertainty, with care 

that builds rather than divides.

This lesson is not about 

perfection, but about 

choosing to stay,

to answer fear with 

attention, to turn 

toward connection,

and let trust grow

quietly in its place.