Self-Mentoring XI ... One cannot live in fear. And spreading it won't take yours away
I must not fear. Fear is a mind-killer. Fear is a little death that brings total obliteration …
By borrowing the inital verses of Litany Against Fear, known these days mostly through the Dune franchise, we’ll take a peek into today’s perception of fear and how it makes people do really bad decision in long-term. And also how it’s extremely weaponised by the manipulative and/or hopelessly naive.
Submission doesn’t bring peace. For there can be no peace of mind if you live in fear.
One of the really recent things that cropped up and is being shouted from every corner: “We are for peace! Stop fueling the fight!” Some people are even weaponising this by playing on the “nostalgic” note of total annihilation. I can understand their motivation. All the crises we have been going through are taking their toll on our minds and we want at least some time off. But are you sure bending over and cowering is going to help you?
Let me put you in front of a choice. You’re standing in front of a canyon that you have to cross. On the other end there’s something you really want. There are two bridges that you can use to cross the canyon. One is made of a really solid rope but only the rope. It is proven to be safe, the only risk being that it’s a bit uncomfortable to essentially do a walk on the tight rope. To increase your safety you’ll be provided tools and a quick proper training on how to use them. So in case you make a wrong step you can get back up and keep carefully going forward.
The other bridge is made of wood but some of the planks might be weakened due to the effects of the weather. You also have to walk the bridge blindfolded, relying only on the navigation of someone behind you. And that someone is known to be a rather shady individual who may have not done anything to you but already screwed over other people. The same person will also have no problem telling you that the safety tools can fail and they have seen that happen multiple times despite the fact that they’re properly maintained and no case of such event has been recorded.
Well, make your choice. Do you trust your abilities? Or do you trust a person that has sown doubt into your mind to lead you safely to the other side?
Did you choose? Did you conquer your fear? If so, why are you walking on the rotting bridge with a blindfold over your face? How many times have you already hovered your feet above the abyss? How many planks have already felt as if they’re about to crack and send you to your inevitable death? And why hasn’t your navigator say a single word? Well, that’s because …
People claiming to save you while spreading fear, doubt and hate are not interested in saving you.
Yup, I said it here. Your navigator doesn’t give a damn about your life. Their goal is nothing more than a clever game of control, preying on your fear of taking the safer but harder way, using the reward as a form of control. And when they reel you in, they can do whatever they want. They can toy with your mind and use your fear to feed their ego, giving them a counterfeit sense of superiority.
Except that sense is fragile and starts cracking the moment you say no and insist on doing it your way. They have to start pressing more. But you stay certain in your decision and start crossing the rope. Carefully moving forward with small steps. Suddenly a wind starts blowing and the bridge swings making you stop. You hear in the distance, “See? I told you it’s dangerous!” But are you in danger? You got the safety gear on, the bridge is solid. So solid in fact that you even decide to lean in to your safety harness, effectively sitting down. And it’s comfortable. You’re just sitting in the air, taking all the views … it’s as if you’re flying or gliding. After soaking in the break the wind lowers and you decide to take more steps forward. So overwhelmed by the pleasant sensations you notice that there’s no more voice to be heard. It is still there but it’s quiet, blending in with all the background noise. Your fear-mongering navigator is no more. They’re nothing more than a rejected pile of misery that you decided not to entertain.
And you know what’s the secret? They were the ones who built the wodden bridge because they were afraid. But they neglected it. And the only way to make sure they’re not seen as a fool was to spread fear. Did it help them? Well, you can see on your own.
R.R.A.