Anxiety and Fear

(Picture Credit MBL Consultancy)

I say again –

Fear has a vital function.

Without it our ancestors would have been eaten

By lions or sabre-toothed tigers.

We need it so survive

A terror attack

Or any physical threat.

Yet in modern days even mild anxiety

Has little use:

Filling us with Cortisol and Stress.

We are like rabbits in headlights,

Paralysed with worry

Over those exams and other tasks.

We must not Fear or fret.

As Frank Herbert said in “Dune”

We have to face our fears

And let them pass over and through.

For only we will remain.

We must stay Mindful

Of the here and now

And let the future take care of itself.

So I will not do Fear

Of any kind

Unless that thug or terrorist appears

And even then

I will try my best

To keep my cool.

Be clinical

Rather than angry

For Anger is the cousin of Fear

And only any use

When you rationally decide

To attack.

In short

Do not Do Fear

Or Anger

Unless you really have to.

Paul Butters

© PB 18\6\2018.