Fear Is Never

The easiest thing to give away in this life is fear. I know when you have been gifted with this intangible emotion, it lingers long and strong in your inner being. I understand this because it has happened to me.

Consequently, I have studiously avoided bequeathing it to another. Have I been successful? I truly doubt it. We humans have a tendency to look at ourselves with rosy glasses. But in truth, I have tried. However, this past week has been a classic example of spreading fear, fright, stress or whatever word is most applicable.

Most of my Posse and I share the same lifestyle. We are independent women, of a certain vintage, comfortable in our own homes and no longer blessed with our beloved companions. We are all aware of the many blessings we share despite a solitary existence We chose our own dining time and our own menus. We no longer apologize for a later arising due to late night TV programs. Our social life is scheduled for our precise needs and desires. Our cups may not overflow, but they are far from empty. And I believe that is something we all agree about totally.

Until the tom toms of the media began to clang unmercifully once again a full week before a possible storm. Certainly we have all weathered tempests in our lifetime; certainly, we are mature enough to not risk walking on icy pavement or driving in a blinding storm. So how many warnings do we need? Every half hour is above and beyond the rate of information desired or necessitated.

I realize I sound grumpy, and that’s because I am. Because once again I feel the fear of others touching out and inhabiting my equilibrium. I am seldom afraid. I believe strongly in the Presence of God, and I am aware He expects me to make wise decisions about my life. However, it is difficult to withstand the barrage of “How soon the blizzard is coming,” “How bad this monumental tempest will be,” “How potentially damaging the snow squall on LI may be,” and not feel the first inklings of cold fear.

An emotion that destroys self-confidence in one’s own ability to be self-reliant and causes unnecessary stress mentally and physically. The majority of people who will be affected by this upcoming storm are wise, independent, and cautious human beings. Most if not all of us have made preparations for being housebound for possibly 48 hours. We have made peace with the possibility of being alone with our books, TV, and a period of relatively quiet in our lives. We are blessed with comfortable abodes and enough income to have the larders stocked either with the efficiency of Peapod or comparable services, and the comfort of a network of caring friends and neighbors. There are few, if any, citizens who have not been alerted to the potential weather emergency. We will listen and respect all valid information regarding the hazards and precautions needed during the duration of the storm.

However, while we love being alerted to climate conditions, please do not allow it to become a mechanism for transmitting fear. The snow will melt; the emotions will linger far longer. We can and will weather the first storm of 2016, and eventually the snow will stop falling.