The Beginning of Life as We Know It

Phobophobia

Phobophobia: (noun) Fear of being afraid

Nothing is so intense as fear. Throughout history countless great leaders have manipulated large groups of people by use of fear alone. In many religions fear is even seen as necessary in order to maintain a humble nature; for what might a fearless world look like?

Most people aren't afraid of everything, but some experience involuntary fear of everyday objects or activities, ultimately resulting in a perpetual avoidance of the former. How, though, might one avoid a non-physical, non-situational fear? I think my biggest fear is that I'll never be enough. Some people fear spiders, heights, needles - physical things. But what I fear most isn't physical; in fact, it's rather the lack of anything that causes me to lie awake at night. I'm worried that I'll sit and watch my life tick away without accomplishing any major feats; I want to make sure that, when I leave this earth, I've made a lasting impact of greatness on the people around me.

I know I mustn't be alone in this thought process; so many, Americans especially, are success-driven. I know this isn't necessarily a chapter about our school system, but if it were, I'd be sure to note that, at least in accordance with my own experience in public high school, many of us are more concerned with getting an A than learning - I myself can honestly say I haven't learned a single thing since elementary school, when doing so was encouraged. America may be the land of dreams coming true, but it's also the land where those who can't accomplish their dreams are seen as failures. There are, of course, many disadvantages to a hunter-gatherer world, but one of them is certainly not the constant, uphill struggle to land the perfect career.

I wouldn't say I'm phobophobic in the sense that I'm afraid of being afraid, but I would say I am in that fear, not love, drives my pursuit of greatness.