Energetic Law #1 – Fear and Possibility

• September 13, 2021

The first energetic law is the law of Fear and Possibility. The law, simply stated, is: “Fear and Possibility always show up in equal and opposite counter-measure to one another.” 

When there is possibility on the table, there will be an equal amount of fear showing up for you. When there is fear in the space for you, there is an equal amount of possibility available.

In order to talk about this law, we have to start by defining Fear and Possibility.

And before we can talk about Possibility, we need to talk about Predictability. Predictability encompasses everything you are reliable to create, or experience in your life. The realm of predictability includes everything that is available to you, without requiring any kind of breakthrough on your part.

Going to work and having the same kind of day you had yesterday is in the realm of predictability. Working at your job and making a three percent raise (about on par with inflation) is in the realm of predictability for most people. Working twice as hard, and making twice as much money is inside the realm of predictability.

The realm of predictability includes things that are not yet available for you, but remain possible, without any real breakthrough on your part. For example, when I was working as a software project manager, managing my time effectively, making logical decisions on the fly, and so on, going to law school, getting a degree, and becoming a lawyer was all inside the realm of predictability for me.

It required that I do what I was already reliable to do, more. I had to study, read, apply my intellect, manage my time, and so on, just like I had done when I was working in software. The primary change was that I had to do what I was already doing, harder, better, faster, and stronger.

Possibility is distinct from predictability. The realm of possibility includes /everything/ that lies outside of what is predictable for you. You may be able to see how to make twice as much money by working twice as hard, but making twice as much money and working half as many hours may be in the realm of possibility.

Ironically, we usually relate to everything in the field of possibility as though it is impossible. We may not yet have everything we need to attain what is in the realm of predictability, but we know we can figure it out. We may not even really want to do the stuff required, but we still recognize how to get there, if we choose.

Possibility isn’t like that. Possibility is the kind of thing that when asked if you would like it, you tend to say “Well, sure… but that’s just not possible”, and then return your attention to the realm of predictability.

Possibility exists in the realm of the unknown. It lies beyond the world of what you know (including what you know you don’t yet know). It lies in the vast, wide-open parts of life that simply are not in your purview.

And this is why possibility is always met with fear. Your fear is designed to protect you from venturing forth into the realm of the unknown. Your fear’s goal is to keep you here, in the status quo, where you know what will predictably happen, and know how to deal with what that is.

Evolutionarily, this is a very valuable trait. As long as we keep you here, where things are known and you know you can cope with whatever shows up, you’ll likely be able to stay alive long enough to propagate your genes forward. The dummy that went out into the darkness probably got eaten by a tiger. And so fear serves its purpose.

But if you want to live a life of transformation — that is, a life where you are continually stepping into ever greater amounts of possibility — your fear will be in the way.

The extent to which a goal you are aiming for is in the realm of possibility is given by the extent to which it lies in the vast unknown. And consequently, that possibility is also proportionate to the amount of fear that will be triggered in you.

It’s worth finishing up by noting that fear may not look the way you think it will. Fear is often experienced as rational, reasoned resistance. Putting your attention on “what is realistic” is an example of resistance — not because there’s something wrong with being “realistic”, but because you are putting what is realistic at odds with possibility, rather than allowing for them to co-exist.

Your fear may look like getting incredibly busy, so you don’t have to take the scary action towards the thing you really want. It may look like you continuing to date someone you know is wrong for you because that feels safer than confronting the possibility of being alone while you go after what you really want. Your fear may show up by having you spend all your time putting out the fires in your life, rather than ever getting clear on what you really want for yourself.

Whatever it is, and however it looks, fear showing up is a good thing — it means that you’re in the realm of possibility.