The Voice of Paranoia

I just finished reading an email about all the things this particular person CANNOT do anymore because of all the warning emails that have come into her basket over the years. It is quite comical but it is also extremely sad. The internet is an amazing tool that when used with responsible intention is powerful and good. Unfortunately, the ABUSE ...(Another Blaming Unkind Selfish Excuse to spread ones own prejudice or fear) has hurt many people today, even causing suicide among our youth. Perhaps this message can also be about freedom. With freedom comes great responsibility. Just because I CAN does not mean it is right, kind, or helpful. The beauty and freedom of the internet is also the beast and it is up to us to know which one we want to feed.

Don't get me wrong, fear is a very helpful warning signal that we have developed through years of human evolution. If we listen to it carefully it can guide us into safety and even keep us from playing odds that are not in our favor. It also keeps others safe until doing the right thing is automatic.We have to pay attention to our fear. When we take command of it, it can be our friend. If it takes hold of us, life becomes limited and fear keeps us separated (ie, I am afraid to trust others or myself) or in the extreme (I won't leave my house, aka agoraphobia) or the worst kind of fear (he/she does not think, act, pray, sound, or look like me). Fearing the future is really what fear is based upon and it feeds the perception of being alone and helpless. When President Roosevelt said, "There is nothing to fear but fear itself" it may have been the most important words of the 20th century. We need to be mindful of his advice in the 21st.

We have a lot of things to be concerned about in our world today. I am a baby boomer so I have to say that there has always been a lot to be afraid of in the world. It's not that the world has changed so much as our ability to get information has changed. Our life experiences teach us to be cautious. But in fairness to the life we are meant to live, it makes sense not to feed that mouse of fear until it mutates into a T-Rex. "Let not your hearts be troubled, nor let them be afraid" is a promise and a wonderful prayer to make as we begin our day. Beware of messages that feed your fear and keep you separated from the love you might receive, the life you might live. Maybe putting all those emails into the junk file just might be the order of the day!!!