Train Time No. 9

Today, it’s the 4:35 bound for Homewood.

Fear…

Is an important part of life…

As long as we don’t allow it to become our lives,

And a long as we manage what our fear focuses on.

For example: let us remember the 11th. Commandment which says:

“thou shalt not stand in front of a moving train”

…words to live by… literally!

Admittedly, not everything is this clear at first glance. Somethings require a little thought and review before a decision should be made.

For example:

While walking through downtown Chicago near dark, should I be afraid of a really big guy coming the other way on my side of the street with a mean scowl on his face?

Well:

I would say, at least don’t make eye contact, and look like you are distracted by something on the other side of the street while at the same time crossing the street, pulling out your phone like you just got a call, but still keeping him in your peripheral vision so that if he swerves towards you you can make another quick decision to get away or pull out your mace or tazer, or conceal & carry gun, or your ninja skills to try and survive the situation.

This last kind of fear is the one you need to be careful of the most and can be the worst kind of all.

For example:

“what if he / she does not like me.”

“what if they are angry with me at work.”

“What if I’m not good enough…”

There are thousands of these examples of debilitating fears, all of which might or might not be true.

I think the key is:

Whatever it is that you are fearing…
Do you have any real proof that IT is real; that the fear is true and you really do have something to be afraid of?

If the answer is no…

Than maybe you are wasting your energy on something that doesn’t deserve your attention.

Granted, the process of getting from this first gleam of truth to actually allowing this release of fear to become normal (allowing and embracing joy…), is something that will take time and possibly some professional help.

However, this process and this way of thinking is not magic and does not come from some pill that gets prescribed for you to take each day.

No, it comes from you saying:

“I’ve had all I can stands and I can’t stands no more…”

And then taking that first step.