B Kanishwarya

Life is a risk by itself. But, if you fear and take no risk, it will lead to taking more risks. It is too short a life to lead a scared and risk free life. By being afraid you are not gaining anything. It will not save you. In fact, it will damage you more. Fear prevents you from making any decisions. You can grow and be happy only if you take decisions that will lead to a more adventurous life. Also, if you fear you lose out on all the fun that life has in store for you.

Fear in a society arises due to many reasons - ozone, recession, pollution (water, noise and air), unemployment coupled with poverty, crime, sex, rape, arson, inferiority complex, jealousy, AIDS, etc. Fear arises because we begin to have a feeling that we are not able to control the course of our life, which depends upon a number of external and internal factors.

Sometimes media overkill too is responsible for our fears. For example, sex is a joy. But due to the increasing threat communication about AIDS in the media, youngsters are not happy and elders frown upon the very word. They are afraid that our life will go berserk. Media, AIDS prevention groups and communication agencies are responsible for this fear psychosis amongst us. According to a study in the United States, AIDS ranks only eleventh as against heart disease and cancer which top the list of severe death causing diseases.

There can be found a prevalence of undue fear amongst youngsters about marriage and sex. In the Indian environment sex is not discussed in public and is a taboo in most homes too. The yet-to-be-married class is afraid of marriage and sex, because they fear that they cannot satisfy their partners. Further, they are also afraid of the expected financial mess. However, the prudent psycho should be to take up the challenge as an exciting adventure in life.

There live in this country a huge potential of yet-to-be-married ones who postpone their marriage due to multiple fears. In fact by postponing the marriage for too long, they are asking for more trouble. Even late-marrying couples want to postpone childbirth, due to the increase in financial commitments and the fear of added responsibilities. In an environment where infertility rates are increasing with the rise in age of women, are these decisions prudent? In fact, they may have to spend more to have a baby through artificial insemination in the event of infertility. Further, the practice of using female contraceptives in preference to condoms may have side effects and the female user may end up paying more health checks.

The other damage to your life happens through misconceptions in personal/personnel relations, thanks to undue fear. This is due to over-imagination. For example, you think what others (life partner, family, society. etc.) will say if you are going to resign your job and start your own business. So, you do not decide to leave the job. You end up doing what others want and not what you want in your life. Thus you are not happy. And you end up losing your valuable lifetime by worrying. Why not kill your fear and do what you want to and be happy. (In fact, the author herself lost two years of life in the process of her career decision.)

Everyone is aware that the financial capital of India is Mumbai (Bombay). If you are seeking a career in the financial services industry you should land up in Mumbai. But, you fear of Mumbais transport, food, environment, culture etc. and do not opt for employment in Mumbai. Thus you end up losing on your career even before starting it. Those who want to work in Bombay must develop ways of coping with its life and its hardships.

Sometimes fear is rather created than a self evolved one. Say for example academic pressures, excessive parental expectations, peer pressures, etc. lead some children to fear life and attempt suicide. All what they need is concern, care and emotional support, because, suicide is a cry for help. Children should be taught to fight a crisis, rather than parents creating a crisis. This is more evident when the tenth and plus two results are announced. The papers are full of cases where children have committed suicide due to the pressure of performing up to the parent’s expectations.

How does one overcome fear? One way is to take life as it is and enjoy all that happens in your life. Read self motivational books, get good guidance, make your career decisions fast, be brave to take a risk, feel contented and take a break when you need one. Remember, the power to change the course of your life lies with you and not others. So be bold and exercise this power and above all understand that, Life is too short to worry, SO BE HAPPY.