Fear is the most useful tool

Fear is a natural reaction that has two reactions-- either we learn from it and grow or become crippled and hindered by it. Its so easy to be a victim instead of a student in a world where criminals act as if they own everything (or will at least) and believe lives are something that they can take at their leisure. A world where diseases claim our strangers and loved ones with vigour. A simple car ride could be your last due to some other fool or a technical issue. There are many things to be afraid of and the easy thing would be to submit to our fears, allowing them to dictate our every reaction (refusing to leave our homes, avoiding human contact, hating those who are different from us, and the list goes on).

The harder thing to do is to grow from our fear, utilising it as a tool instead of an excuse. Afraid for your family's safety at home? Install alarms, cameras or get to know your neighbours or secure your doors or make sure you keep in contact throughout the day periodically. Afraid you will be robbed going to an event? Be vigilant, look out for suspicious activity. You're afraid to talk to that person you've had your eye on for a while? You can't tell me that every bloody time you are going to put your tail between your legs and ignore them. Eventually you have to find the courage to speak with them, tell them how you feel. Afraid to present something to your peers? Eventually you have to buck up and speak even if you're voice is unsteady.

It is impossible to know courage without fear. Courage pushes us to do what we deem to be impossible, achieve goals that seem out of reach. Courage allows us to adapt to changes or push through challenges. Courage allows us to push past what we are afraid of. There are many people who think that fear is the ultimate weapon, wielding it to make us hate one another, stop us from living a happier life, push us to become more restrictive, coerce us into hampering our own growth and making us forget what it means to be brave.

Fear is a tool -- one we have been using to inspire growth since humans walked this planet. Fear will breed inaction, impulsiveness or inspiration. Which one will make you grow?