The doom and gloomers are out in full force these days. Whatever the issue, it’s presented to us as if the end of the world hangs in the balance. And the reaction they want us to have is to be afraid. Be very, very afraid.
It doesn’t matter if they’re talking about the economy or the fate of the dollar, political issues conveniently blamed on their opponents or chosen scapegoats, or the threat of nuclear annihilation triggered by geopolitical face-offs, all they know is fear. It’s how they keep us in line and doing what they want us to do.
The problem is, everybody knows it and no one turns away, instead letting them continue to do their worst to turn our lives upside down over the mere possibility that something bad might happen to somebody somewhere, so we should lock ourselves away from society to stay safe.
If you’re one of those who toes the line, I’ve got a secret for you.
There are no safe spaces. But it won’t matter anyway.
Whatever happens, the sun will come up tomorrow. And you’ll still probably be here, going about your life in the same old way — and dutifully turning on the news for your daily dose of drivel to rile you up, goad you into battle, or even force you to roll over and play dead so they can keep playing their power games.
Does it mean none of those things they cry about will come to pass? No, but it does suggest that they won’t be the earth-ending events they portend.
Besides, why should you sit around and fret about this threat or that? It won’t make much of a difference anyway, at least not unless you get up off the couch and DO SOMETHING to make things better.
Just being alive comes with risks. That’s what makes it exciting, knowing we’ve got to take the bull by the horns and make the best of whatever comes.
You’ve faced challenges before. Many, many times, in fact. And you’re still here. Sure, you got some nicks and cuts along the way. Maybe even something really bad happened that derailed your life or took a loved one away. But you’re still sucking air trying to make the most of the hand you’re dealt. And frankly, it will be enough.
In fact, you’re enough just the way you are. You will adapt and change as your life needs you to, just as you have over its course. Over and over again you’ve faced troubles. Sometimes trouble won. Sometimes you did. But always you were better for the experience, and somehow picked up the pieces of your life and carried on.
It may not have been pretty. It probably wasn’t what you wanted. But you did it, and you will do it again if you have to.
Fear may have played a role, but being afraid probably must made it worse, not to mention making your experience of the whole situation a whole lot less pleasant than it needed to be.
So do yourself a favor. Lose the fear. And if you can’t, then face it. But live your life anyway as best you can. Fear isn’t going to make those problems go away. You’re going to have to do that yourself.
Nobody promised you a rose garden, or even another moment beyond this one right now. Make the most of what you’ve got.
Don’t be like Chicken Little and succumb to those who want you to run around screaming, “The sky is falling! The sky is falling!”
Because when all is said and done and you look up, it will still be there. And you’ll still be here, trying to figure out what all the fuss was about in the first place.
Instead, work on building the best life you can, and being the best you to live it. I doubt that fear will play much of a role once you do.
Godspeed, and God bless you indeed.