Today is the 17th anniversary of the 9-11 attack, when terrorists crashed into the World Trade Center and brought death and destruction to many. I can look out my office window and watch emergency workers prepare for the memorial taking place in the community where I work. I listened to Sammy Hagar’s song “Remember the Heroes” playing on the radio.
I remember the skies being silent that evening, no airplane contrails other than military jets on patrol. A rather surreal silence, and underlying sense of unease because we knew not what was yet to come. Disaster mobilized people into action and many heroes pressed through the smoke and debris to draw life from the rubble. It was a day of shock for all of the United States, a day that changed many things forever. A day that we all learned that Fear was a way of life.
What is fear, anyway? In a lesser degree, it is the anxiety of not knowing the result of an anticipated outcome. In a higher degree, it is allowing someone or something to have dominance over you. Understandable, if they are holding a gun to your head. When I think of fear, I think of the acronym:
False Evidence Appearing Real
Most often, fear is just that. We believe something, we’re told to believe something, we make assumptions, we lack the knowledge or understanding of something. I think ignorance is a great factor in fear. Many equate ignorance with stupidity, but that is not always so. Intelligent people can be ignorant, if they choose not to have understanding. Ignorance can create hate too. Refusing to understand someone or something with an underlying fear can totally erupt into hate. And with 9-11, outright violence.
If you are afraid, ask yourself why? Is it because you want control and feel you are lacking that? How do you get control? The only control you need is over yourself. Your thoughts and beliefs are your own. If you are afraid because you don’t know something, why don’t you ask questions? Most people won’t get angry with you if you ask politely. If not the direct approach, seek answers from other sources. (Multiple sources, please, not just one social media posting.) Knowledge is the best armor you can have. It won’t protect you from everything and everyone, but it will keep your monkey mind from conjuring up more false evidence. Knowledge helps to open your mind. An open mind connects you to the Universe. The Universe fills you with light and the more light we bring to the planet the less room there is for fear.
And fear will no longer be real.
Loving Your Sh*T 