Fear Itself

We have nothing fear but fear itself. Truer words have never been spoken. Fear is what drives almost everything we do and everything we don't do. When you get right down to the nitty gritty details of almost any situation, fear is at the root of it. Fear runs the world. Don't believe me? Think back to a time in your life when you had a decision to make. Why did you choose Option A when you could have gone with Option B? My guess is that fear had something to do with it.

Why do people make sure they get to work on time? Because they're afraid of getting reprimanded.

Why do people continue to smoke? Because they're afraid of going through the withdrawals.

Why do we say 'yes' when we really mean 'no'? Because we're afraid of hurting someone's feelings.

Why do we engage in comparison shopping? Because we're afraid of getting ripped off.

Why do we look the other way when someone is fighting in public? Because we're afaid of getting involved.

Why do we stay silent when we know we should speak up? Because we're afraid of looking stupid.

Why do people study for exams? Because they're afraid of failing.

Why do we wear deodarant? Because we're afraid of smelling badly.

Why do people speed? Because they're afraid of being late.

Why people stay within the speed limit? Because they're afraid of getting a ticket.

Why do people abuse alcohol and drugs as a way of coping with life? Because they're afraid of dealing with the pain.

Why do people abstain from alcohol and drugs? Because they're afraid of losing control of themselves.

We're afraid of hurting others,
afraid of hurting ourselves,
afraid of breaking the law,
afraid of feeling guilty,
afraid of spending too much,
afraid of not saving enough,
afraid of having too much fun,
afraid of being boring,
afraid of pain,
afraid to let go,
afraid to hang on,
afraid of being isolated,
afraid of being too exposed,
afraid of being ugly,
afraid of being too vain,
afraid of rushing,
afraid of moving too slowly,
afraid of dying,
afraid of being sick,
afraid of leaving a bad impression,
afraid of being forgotten.

And the list could go on and on, but I'm afraid that's all the time I have.