"Solo puedes tener miedo de lo que piensas."

The heart of this idea is that our fears are often shaped by our thoughts. What we think about a situation can make us scared, even if the reality of the situation isn't necessarily scary. It's our minds that build these fears, sometimes making mountains out of molehills.

Let's dive back into history a bit. This kind of thinking isn't new. Philosophers, psychologists, and thinkers throughout time have talked about the power of our thoughts. Take Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher. He believed that it's not the events themselves that trouble us, but how we interpret them. Fast forward to the 20th century, and we see similar ideas in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT suggests that by changing our thinking patterns, we can change our emotions and behaviors. It's all connected.

Imagine you're about to give a public speech. Your heart races, palms sweat, and your mind starts playing a loop of possible disasters — you'll forget your lines, people will laugh, and your reputation will be ruined. That fear you're feeling? It's all about what you're thinking. The audience hasn't even reacted yet!

Take Sarah, a friend of mine, as a real-life example. She's a talented artist but had a crippling fear of showcasing her work. She thought people would judge her harshly. But when she shared her pieces at a small gallery, the reaction was overwhelmingly positive. People loved her work and wondered why she hadn't shown it sooner. Her fear was baseless but very real to her because of her thoughts.

So, how can you use this wisdom in your life? Start noticing when you're afraid and ask yourself, "What am I thinking right now?" Challenge those thoughts. Are they realistic? What's the evidence? Sometimes just bringing awareness to these thoughts can deflate the fear balloon a bit.

Now, picture this: You're at a coffee shop, and you've got a big presentation coming up. You're nervous. A friend sits down with you, and you spill your worries. They ask, "What's the worst that can happen?" You list a few things, and your friend gently challenges each one: "Really? Do you think that's likely?" By the end of the conversation, your fears might not be completely gone, but they seem a lot smaller. This kind of support helps you see that your thoughts — not the actual event — are the fear factory.

This principle is a game-changer. It teaches us that while we can't always control external events, we do have a say in our internal dialogue. And often, it's this dialogue that makes all the difference. So next time you feel fear creeping in, remember: it's probably just your thoughts playing tricks on you. Take a deep breath, challenge those thoughts, and see your fear in a new light.