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Fear Not

© Kaci L Koltz

In America, fear is everywhere. We are taught to fear another terrorist attack, taught to fear God, the news brings us fear each night with accounts of murders and muggings and diseases and biological warfare, movie theaters are filled with fear-inducing films, and the newest trends of extreme sports and reality television allow us to experience our fears firsthand. The celebration of Halloween has become an entire day devoted to scary things, the things in the dark that we sense deep within some primal part of ourselves. Why do we have such an obsession with fear?

Fear is addictive. The body experiences an adrenaline rush that is as addicting as any drug. It feels good to be scared, as any bungee jumper will attest to when, after completing his plummet, exclaims, "What a rush!" But fear is not a good thing. When we are afraid, we are not at peace. Fear creates turmoil and chaos in our lives and contributes to ailments such as migraines, panic attacks, high blood pressure, and depression. The human body is not meant to live in a state of fear. Adrenaline was programmed for emergency situations only. Yet people are purposely subjecting themselves to fear and anxiety situations every single day. It is no wonder our health suffers.

It takes three weeks to break a habit. My challenge to you is to spend the next three weeks finding a more peaceful life by eliminating fear, anxiety and stress and replace that adrenaline rush with calming, centered, soothing habits.

In the New Testament of the Bible, Jesus taught his people to "be not afraid." Fear keeps us closed inside ourselves rather than reaching out to others. A good habit to assume is volunteering. The satisfaction of helping others is much better and healthier than fear adrenaline.

Don't watch or read the news. Focusing on negativity only brings more negativity and spawns fear that you may be the subject of the next story. Choose to see strangers as good people with families instead of potential serial killers. It is okay to use common sense around people you don't know, but being afraid of people is destructive and isolating.

Buddhism teaches detachment. People who enter life dirt poor and later accumulate wealth tend to be stingy because they are afraid of losing all they have gained. Americans in particular are afraid of their lives being disrupted and their possessions being lost. When you are too attached to material things, the fear of losing those things is forever with you. Appreciate what you have, but detach yourself from them. They are only things, and what good will they be when you have worried yourself into the hospital?

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