I’m Afraid The Problem Is Fear

If I could snap my fingers and rid the world of just one thing it would be fear. Most of the social problems we humans have had in the past and still have today can be linked directly or indirectly to fear.

We drive ourselves crazy trying to create illusions of perfection because we fear rejection. The fear of rejection has prevented many a Romeo from meeting his Juliet; and vice versa.

Fear can keep us from realizing our dreams-we’re not afraid to try; we’re afraid to fail-so we don’t try. I wonder how many of us have stayed in dead-end jobs because we were afraid to reach for the sky. How many more Emily Dickinsons or Walt Disneys might the world have today if not for the fear of failure?

Fear comes in many forms. We have prejudices and hate crimes because of fear. Many addictions are desperate attempts to deal with fear; or to numb the pain caused by fear. Abuse is often-times born out of the need to control others because not being in control terrifies us. This is usually the case with people who have been victims. They act out of their fear. That’s how abuse becomes a generational problem.

We fear that which we don’t understand so we don’t reach out to embrace what others may have to give to us. We fear being misunderstood so we don’t share what we have to give to others. Fear can kill hope. Without hope we have no reason to live.

The absence of fear could be the beginning of revelation, realization, and unity. The revelation would be that, although we are all different, we are all alike. The realization would be that what makes us alike is our need to be loved and accepted as we are. And finally, as we reach out to embrace each other, celebrate our differences, and share one another’s trials and triumphs, unity will come. Unity will cause the human race to triumph!