Life can be scary because it doesn’t come with an instruction manual. There’s no right or wrong way to do lots of things, so sometimes we worry about how we’ll react to the really scary stuff. Are you worried about your pet getting old and dying? Do you fear getting sick and ending up in the hospital? There are lots of situations that can grip someone’s mind and not let go. Have you discussed with anyone the thing you worry about most? Usually, when we share our fears with a trusted person, those anxieties become less scary.

This week, dare to talk with a friend or parent about a very scary, very real fear. Explain what it is and why you feel that way. Share how the worry affects your life, and together you may be able to come up with some great ideas for defeating that fear’s control over you.