Catastrophes in the minds of human can be endlessly conjured if given control. I am reminded of this every night as I wake to check and see if my soundly sleeping infant is still breathing. In the weeks leading up to her birth I had frequent dreams I would somehow tip the stroller, drop her, or perform some other fatal deed. Fear is crippling. I need to sleep, and if I let my thoughts get the best of me, I’ll inevitably fail as a parent. Here’s how Wendell Berry puts it. The Peace of the Wild Things When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief. I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free. Fear is a natural response—a primal one. With important implications for survival and success. But like so many other primary responses it cannot immediately be given the driver’s seat. It must be assessed, and if it proves detrimental, take a back seat to a better response. My parental fear is natural; I am looking to preserve the life and health of my baby. But constantly waking in the night while she sleeps will diminish my alertness and patience while she’s awake. Fear is draining my ability to give joy, kindness, and attention to my family. As an alternative to my natural response, I can fill Berry’s prescription for supernatural peace. I can go to a place where I am reminded of grandeur and my place in creation, and I can reclaim tomorrow’s joy by letting my fear slip away. This is no small task. But it is achievable. A guy named Paul was mentoring a shy guy named Timothy, trying to encourage him as he took on a leadership role. Paul hit Timothy with these words, “God has not(1) given us a spirit of fear(2), but of power(3) and of love(4) and of a sound mind(5).” Promise is loaded into these words, but I’ve read them so much they lose their punch. I’ve been digging into the author, reader, and original words to see if I can uncover something fresh. Here’s my grocery list of fresh discovery.
In summary, in place of a spirit of cowardice, our creator has gifted us energy and new ideas, unconditional love for one another, and the ability to exercise wise discretion over our primary response. Fear of the unknown, fear of what we don't understand, fear of other people, fear of sudden change, when allowed to dictate our response manifest in disgust, hatred, greed, jealousy, crippling anxiety, exclusion, pride, anger, fractured relationships, limited influence and joyless living. My advice to you is Wendell’s advice, and Paul’s advice, and Victor’s advice, Go and lie down. . .come into the peace of the wild things. . . fan into flame the gift of God. . . choose your response. These are active verbs, positive verbs, empowering verbs, verbs you and I can implement today.
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I'm a Hoosier. I like the outdoors. Taxes are my job. I write for a living. This Blog
Writing my way to an adult life of minimalism, sustainability, and joy rooted in Truth. I'm learning, unlearning, and relearning.
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