50 Word Microfiction

A Sure-Fire Way to Light up Fear

Thrifty Words: Fear

Fear is my friend She teaches me that Most of what I Worry about Never happens

She keeps me alert Has helped me live for 100,000 years

Without her My ancestors Would have been a Dinosaur’s dinner

Then I wouldn’t be here

Draw near Let me embrace My old flame

During the five years of my recovery from depression, anxiety attacks and agoraphobia twenty-plus years ago, I learned that denying one’s negative emotions, such as fear and anger, only added fuel to the fires raging in my psyche.

The cooling waters of acknowledgement dampened the fuming lava, allowing it to flow gently down the slopes of my being without erupting as a lethal volcano.

In ancient times, fear was fundamental to our survival. The emotion of fear is our instinctual ‘fight or flight’ response to danger. Still relevant today.

We won’t run across a busy highway or confront a lion with our bare fists.

But we’re afraid for irrational reasons — rejection, not being enough of failure — even fear of success. By avoiding what scares us, we reinforce the fear.

We trap ourselves in “What if?” instead of moving forward into “Why not?”

I remember disclosing to my therapist going to the bank terrified me because I might have a panic attack in the queue.

(I’m talking about the 90's when you stood waiting your turn to engage with a teller — no internet banking!)

“What’s the worst that could happen?” she asked. “Walk me through your visit.”

“Well, I might start feeling light-headed.”

“And then?”

“Mm. If I don’t sit down, I could pass out.”

“And then?”

“I guess people around me would help me up. Find a place where I could sit. Maybe bring me a glass of water.”

“And did you die?”

“Well — no!”

I visited the bank next day, and it wasn’t fatal.

QED.

Thank you for being here.