The word fear is derived from the Old English word "faer." The definition of "faer" is calamity. Humans can become intimidated by fear, causing them to go along with another's wishes without their own input. Children can be taught fear. As we age we are fearful of death, failure, getting old, being vulnerable, and being passed over by associates. We are inspired by those who do whatever it takes to rise above and beat these odds. I think this can cause even more fear; it can erode our humanity.
Probably the best fear quote of all time was made by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his first inaugural speech on March 4, 1933. He said, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." It seems we have become a "culture of fear." Daily our news media remind us of all the things happening in this world. Most of which is bad news.
If we have children or grandchildren, we are fearful of predators. Burglary has become a way of life for the drug culture. Global warming, spouse abuse, rape, drive-by shootings, and numerous other crimes are rightfully actions that cause our fears. Politicians have used the 9/11 disaster to ride to victory. Immigration is being used to put fear in our lives. Gangs bring drugs and violence into our country. I hear one presidential candidate reminding Americans of planes crashing into buildings, causing them to collapse, and of the 2,973 who died.
The brain is more sensitive to fear than reasoning when we panic. When a person states he/she has no fear, I consider them dangerous. Some may say that fear provides survival; it outweighs reasoning. That is absurd; fear is an emotion that we all have. Not all fear is warning of death or other maladies. It is an instinctive reaction caused by a rise in adrenaline levels increasing. Fear is not found to be a thought-out decision; time will not permit an occurrence to give us time to think and reasonably make a logical decision.
What are the symptoms that we show when we're overcome by fear? One's eyes widen, the pupils dilate, the upper lip rises, the brows draw together, and lips stretch horizontally. Today scientists are trying to discover the gene of fear. I am not sure this will help. If you corner a rat, it will try to escape; if that fails it will attack to survive. People do the same; they react to their fears various ways. Some become silent, some will fight, and some will die. It is called "scared to death." Many studies have shown that young and old can die from certain exposures.
Not a single soldier goes into battle without fear, not a single athlete fails to have butterflies. Race car drivers sweat blood almost. Not a single mother giving birth is without fear. Not one minister is 100 percent sure he/she is not going to cause trauma. Fear is a subject that we all need to know more about and how to react.
Sources: Wikipedia, my research, The Root of Fear
Glade Sun
YESTER YEARS: Fear and just plain scared
- Glade Sun
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FG First Baptist Church all smiles as their 'ship comes in'
Fairfield Glade First Baptist Church was right in the path of the right-of-way for the new widening project for Peavine Road. With a new site selected and the new church building well under way, on Feb. 6, TDOT officially presented Fairfield Glade First Baptist Church a check for $1,435,550 for their property.
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SMHS Rocket Club visits FG Rotary
Fairfield Glade Rotary Club warmly welcomed eight accomplished Stone Memorial High School students. The members of the SMHS Rocket Club team presented a detailed account of their most recent competition in the Team America Rocketry Challenge National Finals in Washington D.C.
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Dr. Smith to speak Feb. 15 on women's health
William E. Smith, MD, will speak on women’s health on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at a free Community Seminar, in the conference room at the Cumberland Medical Center Wellness Complex in Crossville, at 130 Woodmere Mall, on Hwy. 127. Non members of the facility are welcome.
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Lake Tansi resident wins Holiday Challenge drawing
Betty Smith of Lake Tansi won a six-month membership for the Cumberland Medical Center Wellness Complex at Crossville because she successfully completed a Holiday Challenge to maintain or lose weight from Nov. 24 through Jan. 4.
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Read the latest edition of "The Bulletin"
The Crossville Chronicle-Glade Sun also publishes a newsletter called "The Bulletin" in which you'll find a schedule of Glade activities and events, a restaurant and dining guide, golf information, and even tour schedules. Click here for the latest PDF edition of "The Bulletin."
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Playhouse favorite Daniel Black to appear this Sunday at the Southern Stars Concert
The Southern Stars Symphonic Brass will be presenting their second concert in the Crossville Music Series on Sunday, Feb. 12, at 3:30 p.m. in the beautiful auditorium at Stone Memorial High School.
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Iles is Lions Student of the Month for January
Cumberland County High School senior Dimi Iles has been honored by the Fairfield Glade Lions Club as January “Student of the Month.” She was selected by Guidance Counselor Robin Hull to be so honored by the Lions Club.
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Three musicians join Big Band Sound
Two talented Tennessee Technological University students and a veteran drummer have joined the ranks of the Big Band Sound. They are Kurt Snider, Brant Poindexter and Sarah Ransom.
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Avalon Center asks you to "Let Your Heart Rule" in February
In 2010 Congress began dedicating the entire month of February to Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, a national effort to raise awareness about abuse in youth relationships and promote programs intended to help youth with teen dating violence issues. Throughout February, individuals and many organizations nationwide highlight the need to educate young people about healthy relationships, teach healthy relationship skills and prevent the devastating cycle of abuse.
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ENJOYING NATURE: How ‘fur’ would you go to get a great coat?
I saw in one of the magazines, that I sometimes read, that the Tennessee Fur Harvesters Association was having a fur sale in Crossville. “Fur harvesters” is another word for trappers. Trappers try to catch fur bearing animals like coyote, mink, and beaver for fun and profit. I talked Gary into going with me to see what we could learn.
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