Fear is a terrible thing to waste. Oh wait, that’s time.
But what is “Fear”?
According to my google machine, fear is “an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat”.
Now we know what fear is.
*Side Note 1 – don’t you just love learning stuff.
But is fear constant? Or does it come and go?
Fear itself might be constant, meaning you might always have fear, the but thing you fear might change over time.
When I was little, I remember being scared of the monsters under the bed.
But now, not so much.
See, I’m grown and I know there’s no such thing as monsters under the bed.
Was everyone afraid of the monsters under the bed when we were little?
I think yes.
I would call that a universal fear.
But there are some things that many people might be afraid of, but adversely, many other people are not.
There are also things that only certain people are afraid of.
Me, I’m afraid of snakes; that’s called “Ophidiophobio”
*Side Note 2 but you already knew that because you read my 25th post. Right?
But not everyone is afraid of snakes.
I’m sure there are other things I am afraid of that other people might not be.
Adversely, there are things other people are afraid of that I am not.
*Side Note 3 – I’m gonna try to not say “adversely” any more
So fear is relative.
Not only does your own fear change over time, but different people are afraid of different things.
Many people are afraid of flying, so they either don’t fly, or, they take a plane and face it, or they get good and drunk and then knock themselves out and don’t worry about it.
I’m not afraid of flying. So when we travel, often we fly.
Flying is a fear that is easy to never have to face. Perhaps you can drive anywhere you go. Or perhaps you never go anywhere.
It’s always been a fascination of mine, wondering why are people afraid of things?
Take my fear of snakes – I just hate the damn things. I’ve come in contact with them several times the past few years and I think we have an understanding. When we confront each other, I go my way and they go their way.
*Side Note 4 – but I always try to have a shovel or nice heavy rake around when I think there’s a chance.
I grew out of being afraid of things under the bed, but I doubt I’ll grow out of being afraid of snakes, that one might be with me until I die.
*Side Note 5 – OH MY – what if the monster under the bed is a snake?
I have also concluded that geography and life choices might factor into what you might or might not be afraid of.
I have no interest in skiing. It looks like fun, and I enjoy the snow, but nope, not interested. I have been to a place where it was offered, but I passed and went tubing with the Sumstine ladies instead. So, since I have no interest in skiing, then it’s doubtful I’ll be going to a ski resort or to a mountain range where there is an abundance of snow.
Thus, I’m not afraid of an avalanche.
I am sure they are dangerous and I’m sure there are people that are dreadfully afraid of them. But, my chances of ever being involved in one are maybe 1 in 1,000,000,000.
I am also not afraid of lions and tigers
*Side Note 6 – and bears OH NO
I don’t live in, nor do I plan to visit Africa. I do visit a zoo on occasion, but there are fences and other safe guards in place to keep the lion and me separated.
So, because of where I am geographically, my fears are vastly different than someone else who lives in a different place.
Someone who lives in Panama, isn’t afraid of frostbite, and someone who lives in Greenland isn’t afraid of sunburn.
Someone who lives in Nebraska isn’t afraid of sharks and I am not afraid of dust storms.
A Vegan can’t have Botanpphobia (a fear of plants) and a carnivore can’t have Carnophobia (a fear of meat)
People that live in Montana aren’t afraid of alligators.
People in London might have Francophobia (Fear of French people) and people in Paris might have Anglophobia (fear of Britian)
And to close…… the Amish aren’t afraid of being electrocuted.
….. or are they?
My Take on Life and Events 