This was the headline for an article by Pritish Nandy in Bombay Times a few days back. A very interesting title though the article was not exactly on the lines that I was thinking. The article got me back to thinking about something which crosses my mind often - "Our Fears".
Is there anybody who doesn't have anything that they fear? I haven't met anybody that way though. At different stages of our life, we have different fears. But is fear always a bad thing? Not necessarily. Fear has its good things too.
As a kid, my biggest fear was facing parents when I had done something they wouldn't approve of. (Can't say that I am over it now. ;) ) Though, now I am confident of putting across my thoughts on things which I believe I am right and get their approval.
As you grow up, the fears you live with change as well. People constantly keep saying that "Death" is the biggest fear. But, is it always so? Maybe Death is one of worst fears we live with. But, it isn't always the fear of facing our own death. Most often it is the fear of "Life" when faced with the death of a loved one. This is true not just incase of death of a loved one. It happens when we lose a loved one from our life due to whatever reasons (Breakup, family disputes, etc) When we lose a loved one, we almost panic thinking how will we lead our life without the person being around. Though we overcome this over a period of time, most often with support from other loved ones, after this, we constantly fear losing another loved one.
For a lot of other people, FEAR is what drives them to perform and achieve what they have. The fear of failure or the fear of outcome of failure is so high that they put in the extra efforts to succeed.
Our fears do impact a lot of important decisions we take in life. Are the decisions always right? I wouldn't know. But, what I do know is we continue to live with some fears in life. Don't think it would possible to overcome all your fears and lead a life without fears.
But something which I think is essential is for us to recognise our fears and be aware. I am aware of somethings which I fear and I am willing to live with. Would I want to overcome them? Maybe yes. But will I be able to overcome all of them. Definitly not.
The phrase, "The Fears we live with" is something which is applicable to all of us.
Think about it and identify the fears that you are living with. Though you might not be able to get over it and lead a fear free life, atleast it would help you be better prepared when actually faced with that fear!!!!
Kiran!
