Fear Factor

It was high counsel that I once heard given to a young person: Always do what you are afraid to do. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom – Bertrand Russell

I’ve once mentioned my adventurous childhood. I remember on one occassion, try as I can, I will never forget! On that fateful day, for reasons I cannot remember, I went further into a forest than I would normally venture. There was a path in the forest, so it gave some comfort, at least I wasn’t charting new terrains, someone had come this way before. My curiousity led me on. After I had walked for what seemed like 1 hour then, I decided to take shade in a nearby tree, catch my breathe, wait for a while and then continue my curious search. I bent down to take a sit, when my eyes caught a glimpse just 300 meters from me. A Lion!!!

I literally felt my breathe leave me. It was looking wild and hungry, my heart raced so fast my legs were numb. See, ahead of now, I had watched many movies, read many books and knew that Lions where not man’s best friend. Had I come to the end of my journey so soon? What will happen to my love for mathematics, my strenght in physics or my passion for public speaking? (of course i’m writing this means the journey didn’t end). I couldn’t stare eyeball to eyeball with the beast, my ears were performing at their peak as i wondered if I didn’t see what I saw of if it didn’t see me. As I stood there (withing 1second) my entire life passed before me, I wished myself away, wished I could dissappear of fly. Things happened to quickly, before I knew what, I could hear the king of the jungle move. I took off, but could hear it closing in much faster, I tripped, I fell, I rolled off and wanted to leap again, but was stopped by a sharp pain on my feet as it collided with the ladder on my bed. Whew…it was a dream. I could still feel my adrenalin raising. That seemed like a close shave. I experienced the height of fear, and was extremely glad it was a dream.

There are largely two kinds of fear.

1. The natural fear. This is the fear that is deposited in our make up to keep us alive. This is the fear that causes extra dozes of adrenaline to pour into our system when we need to bail. It’s the fear things that have the direct capacity to hurt or harm. It’s the fear that allows the hunter to know when to run, and when to stay. It’s the fear we are trained with, small dozes of this fear is good for preservation.

2. The second is abnormal fear. It’s a fear that is developed from anticipating things that we are not certain will happen. It’s the fear that keeps most of mankind average while a few souls succeed. It’s the fear that makes you pause when you should move. It’s the fear that makes you timid when you should be bold. The absolute assurance that things can go bad. This is the fear that inhibits courage, that makes you not to dare, that stops you in your tracks. This is the fear that stops you from trying.

Remember, you will fail 100% at everything you don’t try. All the discoveries and creations of man are in the conquest of fear. Courage made Ferdinand Magelan venture to see if the world was truely a cupboid and if there was an edge. Lack of fear made philosophers ask questions that have led us to greater truth. Napoleon says, he who fears being conquered is sure of defeat. Our fears are spirits which have the capacity to bring what we fear to pass in our lives.

What is your fear? Face it! Our greatest fears are our greatest limitations. Your boss is human, your future is bright, you have worth. Conquer your fear, for that which you fear will ultimately happen. Are you afraid of something? The way to triumph is to tackle it headlong, look for an action that kills the fear, and do it. Fear kills more and faster than death. Fear of the extremes limits. Set yourself free!

Post your comments, Let’s if this is helpful…Adeolu Akinyemi