Stop Letting Fear Drive You

When I was a kid, I wasn’t afraid of anything. I ran around outside and played bows and arrows with the boys. We jumped bikes over ramps, and I picked up frogs, snakes, and bugs with abandon. However, as I got older, I became more fearful of the world, and at times I let fear drive my decisions, my lack of action, and my entire life. I refuse to do that anymore.

The Problem Isn’t What You Think It Is

Although the Coronavirus is a valid threat to some people, the public’s reaction to it is the real problem. Fear is what is driving most hoarders to wipe out grocery stores so that other people can’t even get the basics they need to survive. It appears that many people feel like this is Armageddon, and we are all going to be wiped out or forced to live in caves. I feel that this is a gross overreaction based solely on fear.

I believe that taking precautions makes sense. I think that hoarding up supplies you don’t need that will expire before you can use them, does not.

Many times, in my life, the fear that drove me was way worse than whatever it was I worried about.

Making it Worse

I take great issue with the news and other media sources fueling the fire just to keep people in panic. Do we really need to have more fear in our lives? No! I think it is irresponsible not to share both sides of the equation. Such as the fact that two weeks ago, things were dire in China, and now everything is under control, and 95% of the people who catch the virus are surviving with mild symptoms. Those facts never make it to the front lines because they don’t sell.

News = Fear

I was speaking with a family member last night who was especially fearful, and I felt gratitude that I could give them the space to feel their fear without me feeling it too. I was detached with compassion and felt bad that they were suffering but grateful that I was not worried. A tiny bit of perspective is helpful. Many people follow the news closely, and this is part of the problem. I don’t watch any of it; therefore, I have no fear about this situation.

It Will be Fine

Just like everything in life, it will eventually be under control and blow over. Remember 911 and all the fear surrounding that? We survived it and moved on. We will again. But fear driving our emotions and actions will not help us get to a better place. We also cannot let fear consume us so that we stop living. Sometimes life gets challenging, things happen, but we keep taking one step at a time to move forward.

I am leaning on my faith, using my meditations, and trying to share my feelings of calm with the world. Hopefully peace will overcome the fear and help everyone feel at ease.