Darryl R.

Dosal BSHM 3

Fears - Reflection

People will tell you that your fear is all in your head. That you have some control over the everyday
terrors you face. We are taught to fight fear, to climb that victory mountain all the way to the top and
battle the terrifying forest demons. We are taught to seize the day after waking up from a nightmare.

Fear, on the other hand, has the ability to control us. We let fear wiggle its way into our lives like ants in
a cupboard. We are concerned about losing our jobs. We are concerned about an economic downturn.
We are afraid of losing loved ones. We are terrified of death. We are terrified of large, frightening dogs.
We are afraid of each other. And this is passed down from generation to generation, like hand me
downs.

Don't get me wrong being afraid of certain things is necessary. Humans would not hesitate to stick their
arms in flames, to detonate nuclear bombs, or to keep their shades open during intimate moments in
their homes if they were not afraid. Humans would be animals if they did not live in the fear that
societies have created today. They are savage beings who have no fear of anything.

And what about time? We'll never feel as though we have enough. Fear either multiplies or destroys
time, trapping us in a strange dimension where all we can think about is our worries, stressors, and, yes,
fears. As a result, we must also fight against this. If we don't, we've surrendered our souls to the raging
fires of machines run by "those guys," the sticky, pumping machines that have taken generations to
build.

Take a deep breath and consider the big picture. Recognize that, yes, we are specks in a vast universe.
However, bring the microscope closer to your face and acknowledge that you, too, are an individual. You
are a being on a planet who deserves to live completely and truthfully.

Don't let the monotony of other people's lives shape you. Don't give in to the fear of truly living, no
matter how unusual or uncomfortable it may appear. Accept and work to reduce the number of times
you have to fight fear. Breathe, Accept and Conquer.