It’s good to be afraid occasionally. Fear is a great teacher. – Michael Ignatieff
Fear and I have been intimate companions for as long as I can remember.
Whenever a threatening situation arose, he rushed to my side along with some of his children, usually Worry and Anxiety.
If the situation were dire, he would bring the whole clan.
Such was the case with bipolar disorder and cerebellitis.
Always assuming the worst when Fear showed up, I considered him a foe rather than a friend.
After years of spending time with him, however, I discovered that he could be both.
I always assumed that Fear was my enemy; I began to understand that he was also my friend.
Without the fear of suffering another major manic or depressive mood swing, my bipolar disorder would have remained a nightmare: I, not Dr. Kafrissen, would have regulated my medication; I would have allowed myself a few drinks on occasion because I would have been able to handle it; most likely, I would have been hospitalized on a regular basis. – Excerpt from “I’m Afraid”
In general, I still regard Fear as more of an adversary than a friend.
But as the saying goes, ”There are two sides to every coin.”
I offer these thoughts for your consideration.
I invite you to read “I’m Afraid: The Anatomy of A Disability And The Role of Fear and All of His Children.”
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The saga continues in my next blog.
Do Not Be Afraid!!!