Fear

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
Franklin D. Roosevelt

Amazing how a combination of simple words can inspire a grief stricken nation.

Leaders have the charisma to reshape, repackage their words into beautiful works of art.  Call it romantic, call it inspiring, but it taps into the human soul (a discussion that will be saved for a future post).

Why do humans develop fears?  Speaking in a psychological sense, perhaps they had a traumatizing event in their childhood, if they logically assess their fears as credible threats, or whatever they fear may not stimulate them in any way -- but I will spare you the scientific talk and give you a philosophical spin on it (that's the point of this blog isn't?).  Fear may provide both positive and negative depending on how they rationalize their fears.  Then naturally, someone will ask whether fear defines our humanity, creates individualism, variation amongst us.  Do we need our fears to rationalize our reality?  What if our fears disappeared?  Would we be no better than machines who methodically, mindlessly accomplish our goals?  Fear is a unique emotional mechanism individuals utilize to adapt to uncertain environments -- rationalizing the situation the individual is involved.  A unique form of resisting stresses on our environment; however a safe haven must be established to separate our fears and desires.  If one is subject to fear for extended periods of time, the mind will be rusted, the mind will deteriorate, fear will be forever burnt into the neurons and synapses of the brain.  One cannot function anymore because fear will consume his identity. 

So what is the right balance?  How much can we handle this stress, handle the changes in life?  Should we constantly compete against our fears or should we reevaluate our issues and approach them logically? 

Questions that I need to meditate on and answers I will find.

'Til next time,

Dan