Corporations and Fear

Some corporations use fear as a tool for keeping productivity up, losses down, and order within the ranks. Many unions, who are supposed to represent employees, use fear to keep workers grateful for the status quo.

Many companies tell their employees that the company is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, and can’t afford to improve working conditions. The same companies will threaten layoffs, and base closures, in an effort to frighten employees into accepting the wages and benefits they currently have.

In most cases, the information given to the employees is factual, but unscrupulous management teams still exist in America. They “bend the facts”, and use adversarial management tactics to keep their employees in a constant state of unrest. Some corporations actually run classes to teach their managers how to keep employees on their toes.

The result is the same. The employees, and their families, are kept in a constant state of concern.

If you work for a company that uses these fear tactics, you are best to completely ignore the rumor mill, and the water

cooler sessions. Worrying won’t do you any good. Remember – it’s just a job, and you are not your job. You can find another one.

Government and Fear

Governments will use fear to garner support for their policies and agendas. One of the oldest recorded governments on earth is the Althingi (established in Iceland around 930 by Viking-era settlers). The Althingi used fear as a way to control the people they were supposed to serve, and this practice is still used today.

When it comes to communist, totalitarian, and fascist regimes, fear is the basis on which society is managed and controlled. From the top levels of power, down to the peddlers in the street, fear is a tangible reality you can almost taste. In other words, you better to step around it, or you’ll get hurt.

“Fear is the foundation of most governments.”
- John Adams

The use of fear by democratic governments is usually subtle, but if you look close enough, it’s transparent. People living in free nations still succumb to fear tactics, and vote accordingly, but the fear mongering is often disguised as “news of the day”.

At the risk of sounding like a paranoid, conspiracy nut, here is a clear example: Early in the 21 century, President George Bush Jr., and his advisers, used fear tactics to convince Americans (and their allies) that invading Iraq was paramount. George Bush Jr., via the United States intelligence community, told the world Iraq had “weapons of mass destruction” (WMDs), and that the free world was at serious risk.

Using flawed (possibly manipulated) information, over zealous officials spread the word of fear to the American public. The voters in the United States responded by supporting the invasion of Iraq. There was never any weapons of mass destruction found in Iraq. Not even evidence of WMDs being made, stored, or destroyed.

It’s important not to let the rhetoric of governments disturb your practical peace. Read the section below called, “The fear merchants”, to understand how the free press is often manipulated by governments to spread a fearful message. If you stop watching, listening, and reading the news, you’ll reduce the stress in your life. I guarantee it. Start by turning off your televisions for a couple of days. You can also try watching light comedy.

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There have been many studies conducted on what molds the mind of a child growing up. Most of these studies conclude that the vast majority of a child’s learning experience is based on the example the parents or guardians set — not so much on what the the parents say.

If the people that raised you reacted with nervous urgency every time the smallest problem came up, you would, most likely, develop futile fears. If you were lucky, the people that raised you never over-reacted every time milk was spilt.

However, even if your guardians were well adjusted, as in the latter example, you would have been effected by your peers, siblings, teachers, community, country, and what I call, electronic intrusion. Dispensing with futile fear is a challenge, no matter what your family background is, but it can be done.

Verbally Induced Fear

Then there is the direct effect of what your guardians tell you. The people that raised you may have been told by their parent’s, and their parent’s parents, that they need to straighten up and fly right. Your parents may have been promised failure, if they didn’t tow the line. Furthermore, they would most likely try to impose similar beliefs on you.

For an example on how guardians can affect a child, lets look at this hypothetical scenario. Picture a child trying to avoid their homework. I have included three different ways a parent might apply pressure:

The mother or father – “Get your homework finished.”

The child does not respond, and the parent tries to inspire the youngster to finish their studies.

RESPONSE 1 – “Get your homework done, or you won’t have time to join your friends for baseball this afternoon.” 

Good one. The child has a legitimate concern about making it to their baseball game. The parent(s) can guarantee the outcome will be as they suggest.

RESPONSE 2 – “Get your homework done, or you will fall behind the other kids in the class.” 

Not so good. The child has now been compared to other children. This ushers in the futile fear of shame, and suggests an outcome that is not necessarily true.

RESPONSE 3 – “Get your homework done, or you will fall behind the other kids in the class, fail this semester, fail to graduate, and collect pop bottles the rest of your life.”

You may chuckle at this response, and you should, because the notion is ridiculous. But unfortunately,  some parents actually blurt out comments like this with reddened faces, white knuckle fingers, and bellowing voices. This is futile fear at it’s worst. The child learns fear of what others think of them, fear of shame, fear of poverty, and fear of failing to thrive. All of which, will create toxic perception in the mind the of child. Furthermore, if your parents were extremely competitive people, they may have set the bar quite high for you. Failure would be easier to come by, and your failure would result in shame. When a child is constantly ashamed, they begin to develop toxic perception.

Your inherited fear may be the reason you have days of anxiety, disturbed sleep, mild or extreme depression, angry outbursts, or simply constant frustration. The fears that are causing your anxiety can be multiple. Common fears are: Poverty, loneliness, death, shame, change, and of course, the big ugly…..fear of of fear. There’s an unlimited list of fears that humans waste valuable time inventing.

You need to take a good look at the historical fear in your family, and break the chain. Remember that it’s good to have “legitimate concerns” regarding the basics of life, such as shelter, food, and survival — but any other fear needs to be eradicated. Or, at the very least, GREATLY reduced.

When elderly people are asked what they would have done differently in their life, they often say they would have lived their lives with less fear — they would have taken more chances.

I hope the process of removing fear is something you work hard on. If you learn to master your fear, many of life’s challenges will be easier to deal with, and maybe even FUN! The good news is, you can break the chain of fear without a miracle. You can choose to adjust your perception.

You can begin by dealing with your fear and stress now, and pass along a different legacy to the people you influence during your flesh existence on earth.

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Fear is the main source of superstition,
and one of the main sources of cruelty.
To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.
- Bertrand Russell

I found that identifying my own fears, and understanding different sources of fear, I began to unravel the mystery of my own anxiety disorder.

In this chapter I explore the differences between legitimate concern, and futile fear, as well as how to differentiate between the two.

Usually, people don’t even want to think about their fears, or the affect their fear has on them. But,  before you can begin to create your practical peace, you need to understand the sources of your fear. You don’t have to eliminate all your fears now. You just need to be aware of them.
 
Also, in this chapter, I’ll introduce one of my exercises for reducing stress, and share some of my beliefs regarding inherited fear, fear for control, and fear as a commodity. 

Futile Fear

Fear is a valid emotion when a bus is speeding straight at you in the wrong lane. Saving your life, or someone else’s life, is a good reason to get your heart pounding, your sweat glands pumping, and your body moving.

However, fear is useless in any other situation. Some would argue that fear is useless in ALL situations. But, I believe a moderate level of “legitimate concern” can be healthy, as long as you keep balance in your life. Have you watched what happens to people when they have absolutely no fear? Not always a pretty sight. 

What I work against is futile fear. Futile fear equates to anxiety, and your anxiety needs to be curtailed if you want to set yourself free of stress, and truly live in a state of peace. This is why I’ve started with a chapter on reducing your futile fear, or completely eliminating the annoying emotion, all together.

Any time you fear something you can’t control, you are entertaining futile fear. It’s unfortunately a common human condition. I know, from personal experience, that stopping unfounded fear is easier said then done. But, it can be done. Even if you suffer from extreme anxiety, due to runaway fear, your condition can be treated quickly and successfully.

You can find instant relief with counseling, medical attention, and if necessary, non-addictive medications. But, my favorite way of overcoming futile fear, is by gaining knowledge. Getting help from professionals, and reading books similar to this one, can help you let go of your futile fear.

If you are one of those people suffering from anxiety, take a deep breath — and read on for some good news. I want you to know that you are not alone. What you are going through is very common, but the keywords here are, “going through”. Your anxiety is a temporary state of mind. The sooner you realize your fear is unfounded, and controllable, the sooner your anxious thoughts will begin to dissipate.

Legitimate Concern

A legitimate concern would be concern about something you can control. Legitimate concern can be healthy, as long as it doesn’t graduate to futile fear.

For example, being concerned about a sudden loss of monthly income (fired, laid off, or out of business) is reasonable, as long as you take action to rectify the situation — while at the same time, you understand that it’s a temporary set back. If you spend time worrying about a possible loss of income, then you’re entertaining futile fear.

In short, legitimate concern is concern regarding a real situation, where action can be taken to improve the situation. 

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I’ll be posting bits and peaces from the book, but not in the final chapter order or the final draft. This works as a backup for myself as well. Feel free to make comments on my work as I go. Your input would be invaluable!

Terry

Here is the introduction to the book. 1st draft only:

“They’re just like sponges”.

A simple metaphor to describe the miracle of a new life, but a valid comment for your entire life. From the moment you were born, you’ve been absorbing air, food, water, sound, light, radio waves, and, what I call, human energy.

What do we do when a sponge is soaked with dirty, and undesirable, water? Sometimes we choose to wring it out, and sometimes we choose to throw it out.

This is why Your Practical Peace was written – to help you wring out the undesirable aspects of your life, rinse your toxic perception down the drain, and start over again – natural, pink, and perfect.

For those reading this book, who have considered the latter option in the metaphor above, read these pages closely. You are here for a purpose, and you are surrounded by a love, so powerful, that most humans cannot comprehend it. You are not alone, and never have been.

The contents of this book were first written in the form of a personal journal, which I kept for therapeutic reasons. I’ve had an anxiety disorder since childhood, and not until my forties, did I recognize this, and begin seeking spiritual peace.

In my quest for peace and tranquility, I’ve studied different philosophies, religions, and teachings founded by ancient and modern sages. The following is the result of my journey to date, along with my conclusions and beliefs.

My original journal is not in print for public consumption. However, all conclusions are presented here, so that you can quickly begin creating Your Practical Peace.

This book is about taking action. My hope, is that the ideas set forth, can be exercised to create a platform for dramatic change in your life. Change from a stressful and burdened life, to a life of love, purpose, and balance.

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