In his first inaugural address, President Franklin D. Roosevelt made the oft quoted remark, “The only thing we have to fear is . . .fear itself.” He said it during the great recession when the economic situation in the country was dire . He called fear a ”nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed effort to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and of vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory.”
It was a masterful speech that went on to say the nation will endure as it has through all sorts of extreme challenges, that there is much to be thankful for despite hard times, and that we have to stand together to solve problems.
I wonder how his speech would be received today? Does the constant barrage by TV and electronic news programs make our fear worse? It is important to remember that the media is strongly motivated to keep us on edge in order to keep us consuming. The more often we return to their newscasts, the more ads they sell.
People frozen into inaction by fear are said to have agoraphobia. They may be unable to leave the house because they fear having a panic attack. Psychologist Jay Winner says this type of fear is a secondary emotion. Primary emotions are the direct result of something that made you sad, such a loved one being hit by a car. If the incident makes you too afraid to leave home because you too might get struck by a moving vehicle and, if you get angry at yourself for worrying unreasonably, the resulting emotions of fear and anger are secondary. Stress causes distress by imagining you should feel differently. THe result is prolonged agony.
Adrian Vilaca discusses fear in another way. She sees anxiety as keeping us back from taking leaps of faith. Adrian is a martial artist who fights in cages against opponents bent on beating her unconscious. She describes being gripped with fear as she walks toward the event coordinator in an arena filled with a screaming crowd and super loud music. As the MC raises his his hand and slowly folds finger after finger until none are shown, her tension increases. When the music defining her act starts playing and her team huddles round to provide support, she realizes how alone she really is.
Adrian moves forward even though s terrified of losing and letting people down. In that moment she forces a smile and gets into her fear. Once embraced she finds it motivating.for fear represents what she values and wants to do. She cherishes the ability to feel a full range of emotions.
Walking through life moves us toward our individual cages. The trip can can be crippling if you let it, for it represents the unknown—and, you could fail. However, if you believe what you are creating is more important than being afraid, it can give you strength.
I used to be afraid, very afraid, afraid of my shadow, some people would say, until the day a counselor asked me if I was afraid to succeed. Afraid to succeed? How strange, you might ask. How can that be?
The thought of success also freezes people to inaction, for success is often accompanied by unanticipated demands. Unsure of what they might be, I did not want to face added responsibility. So, I stayed in the bubble of a comfortable routine I could control. The counselor’s comment somehow enabled me to take a leap into the unknown. The potential rewards that might occur far outweighed the risks I had to take. And so, I started a science museum.
The political climate today causes many people to retreat into the safety of the familiar. I know individuals who are afraid to leave their homes. Some friends won’t say what’s on their minds because they fear reprisal. Others shake their heads in despair, spend their days in jitters, and can’t sleep at night. They are frozen by inaction—not a good way to embrace life.
Today’s political climate needs people willing to scale self imposed safety barriers and engage in a search for truth and understanding of those who hold differing opinions. The political divide is artificial, brought about by partisan interests and fueled by a media that benefits by inciting fear and confusion in their audiences. Most ordinary Americans are not as divided as you might think. They want the same things—to be respected and loved, to feel secure, to live in health, and to participate in activities that make them happy. With that in mind, it is easy to close the door on fear and open it to engagement. Being part of the solution to make neighborhoods safe and clean, children better educated, and all citizens well cared we will heed FDR’s words once again.
“ Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the the joy of achievement, in the thrill of the creative effort . . .These dark days will be worth all they cost us if they teach us that our true destiny is not to be ministered unto but to minister to ourselves and to our fellow men.”
References:
Winner, J. (2008) Nothing to Fear, but Fear Itself ? Psychology Today. retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/stress-remedy/200810/nothing-fear-fear-itself
Vilaca, A. (2016) Fear of the Walk – There is Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself.Wellness Motivation. retrieved from https://www.fearlessmotivation.com/2016/10/27/fear-of-the-walk-there-is-nothing-to-fear-but-fear-itself/
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Into the Unknown: Acrylic on Canvas / Ornate gold Frame / $ 599 / 23” x 19”
