Your post made me feel sadness,
but its not your fault, for its ok having to think,
it made me reflect on why do we fear.
I do not fear death, because it will all be fine
perhaps I fear disability before death, watching, waiting
unfinished business, reflections with too much time
I do not fear fear, it serves its purpose in life
perhaps I fear growing old alone with so much love to give
waiting, wanting to be with someone special, ’tis lonely sometimes here
Actually I embrace fear because having fear is real, is being human, an opportunity to learn from it, accept it for what it is and grow… that is, until next time.
🙂 … As always Eric, your posts inspire me! 🙂
Thank you for this open sharing. It gives comfort to those who feel lonely and unsure of their thoughts and fears – and hope for others that they are not alone and many out there share similar sentiments.
My posts reflect my thoughts and life experiences. I leave each to take that which they want and dust their sandals on that they chose to leave behind. If some words of mine inspire but one, then I consider my job well done.
Thank you for your time and encouraging comment. Peace 🙂
Your words sum things up for me. I have spent a lot of time lately with a friend who was dying. He passed on 3 weeks ago. These words sum up his final days. My word means that I spend a lot of time with people coping with terminal illness. These people have taught me much and have in some ways have caused me to reflect and fear death less – if that is at all possible. My biggest fear is not death, but not being here for my son.
Thank you for sharing. I subscribe to your sentiments, Jacqueline.
Frankly, death does not bother me, full stop! But the thought of not being here for my wife and children – hmmm…Will I be ready, yes I reckon when I see myself getting to be a burden to them…
How can anything written from the heart be trite, Jen my dear.
They say better to give than to receive
Under a banyan tree, some wait for Gifts
Under the Ethiopian sun a mother gives
Who gives, who receives
Who has a better Gift
It’s not what we receive but what we give
That is your Gift – because you give
By your trials and life
To HIM you give…
I wonder why we are given the emotion called FEAR. Doctors say that fear grip us, our heart stop and we die. Psychiatrists work on the basis that fear stops us from acting violently but fear also increase our adrenalin to perform miracle. Just like all the other gifts that we have, maybe FEAR isn’t such a bad thing. We cannot avoid FEAR but we do not have to overcome it all the time – perhaps that is how I see it.
Very true Jyoti – we cannot avoid fear but we can learn to handle it as best we can.
I read your post Beginning – what we love we start immediately, what we see as chores – we delay (and birth all the reasons for procrastinating – perhaps write a book about this)
I don’t fear death as much as I fear suffering…so I guess the manner is my utmost fear…quick and out like a light is what I hope for.
What you have written is so very true, it is not so much death that is fearful but what we don’t know about it…reminded me instantly of Shakes: “to be or not to be…that is the question” Take care, =)
I buy that – though many say they are happy where they are, I wonder whether this is due to acceptance. But given a choice, perhaps all of us have an ideal age we want to remain…until another ideal appears…
Thank you Jared for your visit and contribution, Eric
For me it’s the timing… I think I fear to face death too early, maybe I’ll left this world with too many regrets since I haven’t done anything worthy enough in my life.
I can fully agree with you there and felt the same way when I was much younger.
Now at 56, the timing does not bother me as I have already catered for my family. There is still much I want to accomplish, true, but these are not imperatives…
Thank you – it touched some raw spots in many people – certainly got me thinking long and deep before/after posting this, as I read all the comments. Quite enlightening and I learnt much from people.
Eric…. good question….Fortunately, I fear only fear…. or maybe not so fortunately…. but still….just that…. and of course, my ex-….(and that part IS a joke. I will always love her, just can’t live with her….) 🙂
Most of my real fears are gone, smothered or burned up in over 700 violent incidents that, by merely surviving, removed fear of violence from my existence for me (In over half of those incidents, the possibility of serious injury, or even death, was a distinct danger. Not fear, just danger…). My only fears now involve failing in my Duty…. whatever I may choose that to be, or losing my Honor…. Little else in Reality is really fearful, in truth, at least for me…..
I read this a couple of times Ned – 700!!! Man, you come across as a one-man disaster zone – and I say this in the most respectful way (I have no wish to figure in your 701 🙂
I can see why you probably laugh at Fear – Fear, poor fellow, probably needs therapy after meeting you, I reckon 🙂
Eric… 🙂 Thanks, but it was not intentional, nor did I start any of those 700+ incidents; I just dealt with them. I was working with the mentally ill, the most violent types, and had to perform a serious take-down to control someone who lost their cool, about once a week for about 11-12 years, on average… it just added up….
I don’t laugh at Fear, though; it still has too much power over others. But I don’t let it have any power over me, and that is just another skill, not necessarily easy to learn, but anyone can learn it. I only wish I COULD banish Fear altogether by my mere presence; it would make life much easier on everybody….
It was a pretty high price to pay, but worth it, in retrospect… I’d much rather spend my worrying time on my honor and duty. They always require constant renewal and defense, and if we don’t have them, as men, what do we have, though we hold the world’s treasures?
Good post, Eric, I enjoy the depths to which you dive into the infinite ocean of the human spirit, and all the dialogue in which we engage… it’s great to stretch those mental muscles as often as possible…. take care, brother…
Loading...
I don’t normally want the last word but feel compelled to > you honour me so, by calling me ‘brother’ – in this word resides love, resides Truth. Thank you Ned, my brother 🙂
Loading...
I have nightmares on occasion where my children are in trouble and I am unable to help them because of a giant chain link fence.
For myself the unknown of old age is my fear. I’d like to hope that I’ll still be healthy, capable and independant…I’ll have to wait and see though… 🙂
Your post made me feel sadness,
but its not your fault, for its ok having to think,
it made me reflect on why do we fear.
I do not fear death, because it will all be fine
perhaps I fear disability before death, watching, waiting
unfinished business, reflections with too much time
I do not fear fear, it serves its purpose in life
perhaps I fear growing old alone with so much love to give
waiting, wanting to be with someone special, ’tis lonely sometimes here
Actually I embrace fear because having fear is real, is being human, an opportunity to learn from it, accept it for what it is and grow… that is, until next time.
🙂 … As always Eric, your posts inspire me! 🙂
Thank you for this open sharing. It gives comfort to those who feel lonely and unsure of their thoughts and fears – and hope for others that they are not alone and many out there share similar sentiments.
My posts reflect my thoughts and life experiences. I leave each to take that which they want and dust their sandals on that they chose to leave behind. If some words of mine inspire but one, then I consider my job well done.
Thank you for your time and encouraging comment. Peace 🙂
Your words sum things up for me. I have spent a lot of time lately with a friend who was dying. He passed on 3 weeks ago. These words sum up his final days. My word means that I spend a lot of time with people coping with terminal illness. These people have taught me much and have in some ways have caused me to reflect and fear death less – if that is at all possible. My biggest fear is not death, but not being here for my son.
Thank you for sharing. I subscribe to your sentiments, Jacqueline.
Frankly, death does not bother me, full stop! But the thought of not being here for my wife and children – hmmm…Will I be ready, yes I reckon when I see myself getting to be a burden to them…
Luv and peace, Eric
trite maybe but here goes…
I fear fear. I mean I really do. I have PTSD
I am terrified of Fear.
I don’t see the purpose in my PTSD. I can’t see the gift.
I will look harder…
Thank you for the very thought provoking post…
Peace, Jen
How can anything written from the heart be trite, Jen my dear.
They say better to give than to receive
Under a banyan tree, some wait for Gifts
Under the Ethiopian sun a mother gives
Who gives, who receives
Who has a better Gift
It’s not what we receive but what we give
That is your Gift – because you give
By your trials and life
To HIM you give…
Luv and hugz from a friend, Eric
I wonder why we are given the emotion called FEAR. Doctors say that fear grip us, our heart stop and we die. Psychiatrists work on the basis that fear stops us from acting violently but fear also increase our adrenalin to perform miracle. Just like all the other gifts that we have, maybe FEAR isn’t such a bad thing. We cannot avoid FEAR but we do not have to overcome it all the time – perhaps that is how I see it.
Fear does have its purposes and sometimes debilitates or propels us – as you rightly pointed out 🙂
But fear in relation to death….has someone hardwired us into remaining here till our “time” – I wonder…
We all fear knowingly or unknowingly..
trick is how we deal with it..
Awesome post as ever Eric !!
Very true Jyoti – we cannot avoid fear but we can learn to handle it as best we can.
I read your post Beginning – what we love we start immediately, what we see as chores – we delay (and birth all the reasons for procrastinating – perhaps write a book about this)
Thanks Eric.. 🙂
lol Book ??
I’m afraid can not do good to others
That is noble, Pak – the fear of not being able to do good…due to whatever reason
Oh so true fear of unknown does knock some hearts down…
very well put Eric
We each have our own albatross…have any ever managed to lay theirs down before their time…Hmmm.
Thank you Soma dear 🙂
I don’t fear death as much as I fear suffering…so I guess the manner is my utmost fear…quick and out like a light is what I hope for.
What you have written is so very true, it is not so much death that is fearful but what we don’t know about it…reminded me instantly of Shakes: “to be or not to be…that is the question” Take care, =)
Thank you Que, for your contribution.
Fear of the unknown- including fear which is unknown – is the most daunting for many. Yes, the Bard presented it more eloquently…
I fear the One Who holds the afterlife in His hands.
Yes, and we also love Him…
Yes! Which causes us to walk right through that fear and into His arms.
I fear the death because of waht you fear.
Yes, we all have our fears…
I fear growing older. I’m in love with being young.
I buy that – though many say they are happy where they are, I wonder whether this is due to acceptance. But given a choice, perhaps all of us have an ideal age we want to remain…until another ideal appears…
Thank you Jared for your visit and contribution, Eric
My pleasure. Thanks for asking.
For me it’s the timing… I think I fear to face death too early, maybe I’ll left this world with too many regrets since I haven’t done anything worthy enough in my life.
I can fully agree with you there and felt the same way when I was much younger.
Now at 56, the timing does not bother me as I have already catered for my family. There is still much I want to accomplish, true, but these are not imperatives…
I suppose it’s the manner of death that feeds my apprehensions. I have no fears of the remainder.
A fear entrenched becomes a fear that is real…but I do wonder about the purpose of fear, if not for self preservation…
I fear fear………
Yes, most do, I suppose…
I do not fear death for that will bring peace.
I fear to open my heart and have it rejected,
laughed at as folly.
I do not fear the battle,
I fear the quiet after and my own thoughts.
I do not fear age, I fear helplessness,
and meaningless, and pity.
I do not fear tomorrow, but I fear for my children in the
world we have left them.
Wow! I expected a comment – and here you are with a full fledged poem!
Thank you so very much as I’m sure the readers here will appreciate and enjoy it as much as I do.
And all your fears are well founded as man, we share them too.
Peace, Eric
Wow!! This is great!!
Thank you – it touched some raw spots in many people – certainly got me thinking long and deep before/after posting this, as I read all the comments. Quite enlightening and I learnt much from people.
I fear the fear,
It will debilitate me for sure.
Yes Aparna – ultimately it is fear that most of us fear…
Midnight…..perfect.
Eric…. good question….Fortunately, I fear only fear…. or maybe not so fortunately…. but still….just that…. and of course, my ex-….(and that part IS a joke. I will always love her, just can’t live with her….) 🙂
Most of my real fears are gone, smothered or burned up in over 700 violent incidents that, by merely surviving, removed fear of violence from my existence for me (In over half of those incidents, the possibility of serious injury, or even death, was a distinct danger. Not fear, just danger…). My only fears now involve failing in my Duty…. whatever I may choose that to be, or losing my Honor…. Little else in Reality is really fearful, in truth, at least for me…..
I read this a couple of times Ned – 700!!! Man, you come across as a one-man disaster zone – and I say this in the most respectful way (I have no wish to figure in your 701 🙂
I can see why you probably laugh at Fear – Fear, poor fellow, probably needs therapy after meeting you, I reckon 🙂
Eric… 🙂 Thanks, but it was not intentional, nor did I start any of those 700+ incidents; I just dealt with them. I was working with the mentally ill, the most violent types, and had to perform a serious take-down to control someone who lost their cool, about once a week for about 11-12 years, on average… it just added up….
I don’t laugh at Fear, though; it still has too much power over others. But I don’t let it have any power over me, and that is just another skill, not necessarily easy to learn, but anyone can learn it. I only wish I COULD banish Fear altogether by my mere presence; it would make life much easier on everybody….
It was a pretty high price to pay, but worth it, in retrospect… I’d much rather spend my worrying time on my honor and duty. They always require constant renewal and defense, and if we don’t have them, as men, what do we have, though we hold the world’s treasures?
Good post, Eric, I enjoy the depths to which you dive into the infinite ocean of the human spirit, and all the dialogue in which we engage… it’s great to stretch those mental muscles as often as possible…. take care, brother…
I don’t normally want the last word but feel compelled to > you honour me so, by calling me ‘brother’ – in this word resides love, resides Truth. Thank you Ned, my brother 🙂
I have nightmares on occasion where my children are in trouble and I am unable to help them because of a giant chain link fence.
Yes, this is also one of the worst fears – the inability to help our loved ones..I can relate to this
Good food for thought!
For myself the unknown of old age is my fear. I’d like to hope that I’ll still be healthy, capable and independant…I’ll have to wait and see though… 🙂
Old age and its challenges can be daunting, yes.
(P/s See my comment posted in your Autumn True)
I Mari fear. .
The words in my head.
Your comment stumped and took me sometime to fully absorb. You’re right as the words in our heads can be scary…
Aye… and the words she sees there are VERY strong and powerful….. beautiful, and scary too…. and I mean that in the best sense….