ANOTHER FOUR LETTER WORD – FEAR.

Conformist or non-conformist? To different degrees, we all try to fit in with society. I do my best NOT to be too swayed by society because I am not a follower. Many things come and go. Beehive hair styles have been long forgotten. And what about the latest fad of tattoos? At first, people with tattoos were looked at as making a statement – non-conformists. But now there are so many of them that they are merely another fad obsessed sheep. And that ink won’t be as easy to brush out as an unfashionable hairstyle, once the craze has passed.

And what about our choices of food? Don’t most people prepare a salad with the basic ingredients, lettuce, tomato, cucumber? Why not lettuce, bananas, onion, scallops? Because we do it the way our mothers did – our sister does- our neighbors or friends do. We accept it without much thought.

So even while people may wish to make a statement with outlandish hairdos or painted bodies, generally, they are still living well within the bounds of society. And why should they not? It is easier. (This does not mean I object to their statements.)

Now addressing the heading of ‘Fear’. It is fear that shackles us and limits where we may go and what we may accomplish in life.

I greatly admire Richard Branson. He is one of the few who has thrown caution to the winds and stepped out boldly – win or lose. How can you not admire the mans spirit? Despite some enormous failures,( he did lose 45 million when he tackled Coca Cola) he is a huge winner, not even allowing earth itself to shackle him. The late Margaret Meade, a famous anthropologist and a champion of women’s rights was another fearless soul.

So what are the fears that prevent most people from stepping out more boldly and leaving their comfort zones?  To name just a few;

Fear of being different.

Fear of the unknown.

Fear of insecurity.

Fear of what others will think.

Fear of being alone.

Fear of death.

And have you ever noticed that those who appear to love life the most, fear death the least?

The following are quotes from various people, regarding fear.

Erica Jong, author of the best-seller, Fear of Flying; ‘I have accepted fear as part of life – specifically, the fear of change.

Bill Cosby, TV star; Decide that you want it more than you are afraid of it.

President Jack Kennedy; Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.

Henry H. Tweedy; Fear is the father of courage and the mother of safety.

Maurice Freehill; Who is more foolish, the child afraid of the dark or the man afraid of the light?

Rosa Parks; I have learned that when ones mind is made up, fear diminishes.

Mike Dolan; Those that walk with fear will always be too busy hiding.

Betty Bender; Anything I’ve ever done that ultimately was worthwhile, initially scared me to death.

Donald Dowes: Fear can be headier than whisky, once you have acquired a taste for it.

AND FINALLY, MY FAVORITE, BY BERTRAND RUSSELL;

Those who fear life are already three parts dead.

So that’s it, friends. Step out of your comfort zone and have a helluva great week. Until next time, CHEERS!