Free Your Emotions (3)
FEAR
We conclude this miniseries looking at the emotion of fear, with particular attention to the myths and the facts therein.
Myths
1. Fear is indicative of weakness
Don’t let anybody kid you. Fear is never indicative of weakness. I dare say that it is the exact opposite. Like I have said from the beginning, we feel emotions to know how to respond to situations. There are times when it is absolutely necessary to backtrack, and at times like that you receive a signal in your brain which may be called fear. Even if it is there is no shame in it.
A coward stands and points at the grave of a brave man
-African proverb
Image courtesy ucumari
There is no need compromising yourself in tough situations just because you don’t want to be seen as afraid. If you are in a situation where you face fear, do this, run.
It is hard for me to understand those American families who let their children take part in a crazy charade like the war in Iraq. They let their loved ones participate in what they don’t believe in and when they get killed (what else happens in war?) they carry placards and hit the streets and call for the head of the president.
That is fruitless; medicine after death. The President has his politics to play; you have your children to protect.
Mohammed Ali refused to fight in Vietnam because he feared for his life. He was castigated and humiliated, stripped of his world title and all. But in the years to follow he brought more honour to America than any man of his generation. And the sweetest part is that today he still lives.
It is fear of what people or the society will say that drives people to accept what they don’t believe in. If you are afraid your child might die don’t let him go to that war. Let them call you unpatriotic but you still have your loved one.
And don’t even tell me you can’t stop your child because it is your responsibility to teach them from the cradle to form good opinions, opinions that can save their lives.
It is only the living that can be a true hero or patriot.
2. Fear is lack of faith.
I don’t buy this either. Fear is fear and faith is faith. When you should be afraid be afraid. Where you should exercise faith do so. Life’s realities are as varied as are circumstances. You are going to have enough opportunities in your life time to demonstrate your faith, but when faced with fear, do the right thing and run.
No amount of faith should make you do what you don’t believe in or what you know is not right. If that gut feeling is stirred when faced with a situation you better listen to it.
Don’t just walk into a situation hoping for the best (which is basically what people call faith anyway). Know what you want and respond to the promptings of your emotions.
Facts
1. Fear is good
We cannot just dismiss fear as an evil emotion because we want to be regarded as strong or brave or developed or whatever else a guru might call it.
You don’t want to spend all your life learning lessons because you may never live to implement them. You don’t want your child to die before you know you should never support a senseless war.
If fear comes, ask yourself, what is my true take on this issue? The moment the question is answered, act accordingly and let them call you whatever.
2. Fear is wisdom
There are times when responding to your fears is the ultimate wisdom.
Does it never happen to you that you meet a person for the first time and a sudden discomfort towards the person arises within you?
You are taught to be the optimist, to not draw conclusions. You even colour your feelings with a new vocabulary. You apply “faith” and deal with the person and end up getting very hurt.
Then you realise you should have listened to your fears but it is too late. No problem. Lesson learned.
But I say to you, don’t spend your entire life learning lessons! Don’t wait to get hurt before you realise that not all human beings are human beings.
It is a privilege to have feelings to warn us. Respond accordingly and save yourself very many years.
Anywhere you turn you will meet situations that require you to take the plunge and hope for the best and if you fail, take the lesson.
What if there is no tomorrow to implement the lesson?
Free your emotions and enjoy living life a day at a time.