Fear

   

      Fear: it's such a paralyzing, useless thing, but we all deal with it, especially when it comes to me.  There are so many interesting experiences I could have taken part in if only I hadn't been overcome with fear.  Meeting new people, talking to an attractive guy, trying a new activity, applying for and interviewing for a job: these are all examples where fear stopped me from pursuing them.

     You know the phrase "There's nothing to fear but fear itself"?  That's what we all need to focus on the next time we're afraid of something, because it's true.  Sure, fear can be a healthy reaction to things/situations that truly could physically hurt or kill you, but for the most part fear is irrational, merely a product of your mind.  Fear keeps us from truly experiencing life; instead of being active participants, we are passive observers just watching life pass us by.

     I think that the main reason that we fear all stems from the uncertain nature of life.  This is the base of every fear a person has: uncertainty.  Uncertainty of whether what the person fears to do/experience will hurt us or not.  Humans inherently desire to feel safe so we then fear anything that threatens this safety.  But if you let your whole life be controlled by your fear then you'll never experience life; now that's something to truly fear.  Life is for living, Maybe, as Lights says in her song "Lions," "you don't have to feel safe to feel unafraid."  Instead of sitting on the sidelines, fearing your life, go out there and live it, having faith that it will all work out in the end.