Most
of us have one or more core issues or challenges which surface
repeatedly over the course of our lives. These issues are usually
rooted in deep unexpressed fears. Depending on your perspective, core
issues either cause all sorts of problems, or present many
opportunities for transformation. When you choose to look at
core issues as an opportunity, you are much more likely to transform
your fears into learning tools which lead to a better life. Below are the most common core issues, their related fears, and suggestions for dealing with them.

Examples of Common Core Issues and Associated Fears

• Abandonment – Nobody cares about
  me. I'm all alone. I don't matter.


• Arrogance – I'm better than
  all of you. I'm too much. I'm right and you're wrong.


• Damaged – Something is wrong
  with me. I'm a failure. I'm damaged.


• Inferiority – I'm not good
  enough. I'm stupid. I'm worthless. I'm boring. I'm hopeless.


• Rejection – I'm a burden.
  I'm unwanted. Nobody wants to spend time with me.


• Shame – I'm
  bad. I'm evil. I'm a mistake. I'm a monster. I'm disgusting. I'm possessed.

Our
core issues often originate from childhood family scenarios. They can
be a result of negative messages that were repeated many times to us by
our parents or other significant people in our lives. Or one of these
beliefs may have been driven deep into us during one or more traumatic
experiences. Was one of the above statements drilled into you in your early years?

Note
that some people are overcompensators. If you are in this category, you
may unconsciously do everything you can to make it appear as if you are
anything but your core issue. For instance, someone with inferiority as
a core fear might outwardly appear very macho or domineering. Yet deep
inside, this is covering up a fear of being inferior. A person dealing
with shame may be overly nice and giving to cover up a fear that they
are really bad. Particularly if you are having trouble finding a core
issue, notice if any of your behavior is opposite of the core issues
above.

Examples of Behavior of Overcompensators

• Abandonment – Always need to be included, join everything to avoid deeper feelings.


• Arrogance – Act very humble, hiding their deeper belief that no one can match them.


• Damaged – Present themselves as always great, avoid talking about their problems.


• Inferiority – Macho, domineering, need to prove they are better than others.


• Rejection – Present themselves as incredibly desirable, yet reject others easily.


• Shame – Overly nice and giving. Overcompetency. Secretly fear being exposed as fraud.

Whether you are an overcompensator or not, by exploring the deep, underlying fears of your core issues, you can transform your life for the better.
Though you may find that you have more than one core issue, generally
one will be more prominent than the others. Particularly if this is new
to you, we highly recommend you first focus on exploring your most
prominent core issue. To deal with this core issue, you can design
intentions to gradually shift this deeply ingrained fear.

Suggested Intentions for Transforming
Fears, Core Issues

• Abandonment – I am worthy
  of love. I can find ways to safely share myself with others.


• Arrogance – I can learn from
  all around me. I can see goodness in everyone I meet.


• Damaged – I am whole and complete
  just as I am. I can choose to love all of me.


• Inferiority – I am a good,
  valuable person. I can make meaningful contributions to the world.


• Rejection – I am an attractive,
  interesting person. People can enjoy getting to know me.


• Shame – I can be gentle with myself. I can hold the best intentions for all deep in my heart.
  

At
the root of all of these core issues is a lack of acceptance and a deep
feeling of being disconnected. The disconnection can be from ourselves,
from others, from our spiritual nature, or from any combination of
these.

Here are two empowering intentions for dealing with
these most basic core issues:

May I ever deepen my acceptance of myself
and all around me.

May I choose ever deeper connection with myself and
all around me.

The
above intentions are merely suggestions which you may or may not choose
to use. By developing your own statements that resonate more strongly
with your personal experience, you can transform your fears on a deeper
level.

Set aside time to explore these issues.

Change the wording any
time you find something more appropriate.

You might also invite close
friends or family members to give suggestions. Writing down your
intentions is highly recommended. Consider writing a set of life intentions, and review them frequently to help keep you on track.

https://www.momentoflove.org/coreissue