"Replace fear-based thinking with love-based thinking. Every time you're making a choice, ask yourself if it's going to cultivate the experience of unity and love or the experience of separation and stress." – Deepak Chopra

We all experience fear. When it comes to living with a chronic condition like multiple sclerosis (MS), fear can manifest in many ways. Sometimes our initial diagnosis gives us fears about our quality of life. Dealing with the realities of our "new normal," with MS can put us in a chronically fearful state of mind. Will I have a fatigue today? Will I be able to attend to my daily tasks pain-free? Fear about outcomes that are beyond our control can facilitate fear taking root.

"I finally came to realize that my fears about having MS and what that could potentially mean were ADDING to my pain. Once I consciously decided to relieve myself of that burden I could better focus on managing my MS." – Member of MyMSTeam

Here are recent conversations from MyMSTeam members:

• "I have the good day and bad days. I have been diagnosed 12years ago. I read and see how bad this is going to be. I am so scared. But I keep going Because I have five grandbabies to play with. Just because I have it. Ms is not going to stop me."
• "Initial doom and gloom phase is pretty overwhelming and is natural with the diagnosis, but what happens next is up to you. You can choose to embrace life and to live every day at the moment or to let MS get the best of you. Do not let MS define you. Take the time to look inside yourself."
• "I’m really hating life at the moment and don’t want to be a sad sack, tonight I’m going to my daughters for my birthday it will be lovely and I’ll try to make the best of it, I’m trying to be that fearless warrior just not quite feeling it but I won’t give up trying. Light and love warriors"

Dealing with fear will look different for everyone. Sometimes it means arguing with our intrusive thoughts. Sometimes it looks like meditating to clear the mind. How do you stop fear from taking over? Join the conversation below.