October 31

If you’ll pardon the levity, most of us are afraid of fear. We think it’s a bad thing. We know it’s a scary thing. We’re afraid of becoming afraid, scared of becoming scared. We know all too well how our fears can escalate into terror, and how our terror can either translate into frantic action or into paralyzing inertia. Because so many of our experiences with fear have been negative, we fail to see fear as positive or useful. It is both. Let me repeat: Fear is positive and useful. Fear is a blip on the radar screen of our consciousness. It is something we catch out of the corner of our eye. Fear tells us “Check this out.” It enters our thoughts the way a dark shadow looks across a doorway. “Is someone there?” we may gasp. Yes, someone is there. Often it is a perception spoken by a part of ourselves that we have neglected and failed to attend. Fear asks that we check something for clarity. Fear requires action, not assurance.