FEAR [feer]
noun
1.a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid. Synonyms: foreboding, apprehension, consternation, dismay, dread, terror, fright, panic, horror, trepidation, qualm. Antonyms: courage, security, calm, intrepidity.
2. a specific instance of or propensity for such a feeling; an abnormal fear of heights. Synonyms: phobia, aversion; bêtenoire, bogy, bogey, bugbear. Antonyms: liking, fondness, penchant, predilection.
3. concern or anxiety; solicitude: a fear for someone’s safety.
4. reverential awe, especially toward God: the fear of God.Synonyms: awe, respect, reverence, veneration.
5. something that causes feelings of dread or apprehension;something a person is afraid of: Cancer is a common fear.
(Photo credit: kittyz202)
We live in a fear driven society. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as it keeps many of us, that would otherwise have difficulty, from falling off of cliffs and such. I wear my seat belt, keep my doors locked, look both ways when crossing the street and avoid smoking at the gas pump. All sound, logical, fear driven choices. However, wanting to feel safe, while motivated by the instinct of self-preservation, is in reality a relative and often subjective perception.
As I mentioned, I wear my seat belt while driving, but I do drive. “There were more than 5.5 million car accidents in the United States. Nearly 31,000 were fatal, and more than 2 million people were injured.” (1) I don’t smoke at the gas pump, but I do smoke. “The adverse health effects from cigarette smoking account for an estimated 443,000 deaths, or nearly one of every five deaths, each year in the United States.” (2)
the lid off my head 