Much like a mouse can cast a giant shadow when light is cast on it a particular way, what I fear has a way of looming larger than reality if I lend my attention to it. Energy of all types heightens and increases what it is applied to. Applied to exercise I get into better shape. Applied to my yard, landscaping of my home improves. The same is true of bad habits; energy applied to an addiction brings it in stronger form. Applied to what I am afraid of, my fear of it increases and I become unnecessarily cruel to myself. Much like the sun can be concentrated through a magnifying glass, I can focus my energy. The key is to be conscious what I apply the energy of my thoughts toward and thereby increase and multiply. Like a parent corrects a child, telling myself to “stop it” when I am putting energy into my fears yields results when I do it consistently. We are always the parent of the child within.

Obstacles are like wild animals.
They are cowards but they will bluff you if they can.
If they see you are afraid of them… they are liable to spring upon you;
but if you look them squarely in the eye, they will slink out of sight.
Orison Swett Marden