"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 Alzheimer's, fear can manifest in many ways. Sometimes our initial diagnosis gives us fears about our loved one's quality of life. Dealing with the realities of the "new normal," with Alzheimer's can put us in a chronically fearful state of mind. Will my loved one eat today? Will my loved one remember me today? Fear about outcomes that are beyond our control can facilitate fear taking root.

"I finally came to realize that my fears about my loved one having Alzheimer's and what that could potentially mean was ADDING to my stress. Once I consciously decided to relieve myself of that burden I could better focus on managing my loved one's Alzheimer's." – Member of myALZteam

Here are recent conversations from myALZteam:

• "I really would like feedback on the pros and cons of having your loved one living in your home VERSUS assisted living/memory care facility."
• "With the fires raging here in California I am worried about what to do if we have to evacuate. We had a brush fire here that was put out quickly. The air is toxic from the fires in Northern California and Southern California."
• "Two Questions. Do you tell your loved one they have Alzheimer's? And do you go to THEIR psychiatrist to ask questions? I am trying to figure out how to help my mother-in-law who has been with us for 2 months."

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.