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Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere

0 posted 2016-02-10 10:33 AM





The only thing we have to fear
is fear itself,
said Roosevelt.
In its time and place
it was true,
though I doubt you’d have convinced
a Nazi subjected Jew.
And today we mustn’t live in fear
of the terrorist here.
But, in the land of ISIS,
you’d be a fool not to.
There is more to fear
than fear
if you have fallen victim to
human trafficking,
police brutality,
gang retaliation,
mob mentality,
domestic abuse,
and other such situations.
No matter who we are,
victim or perpetrator,
we all want the same thing;
to live free from fear,
whether the threat comes from
outside or inside our four walls.
It seems that if and when
we cannot calm and control fear
that we find ourselves
stretching our behavior
farther and farther
in an attempt to do so.
Then in the extreme
of finding a fearlessness
akin to nothing left to lose,
lies the aberrant and heinous behavior.
So, then we do, indeed,
need to fear, fear itself.

© Copyright 2016 Lori Grosser Rhoden - All Rights Reserved
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
1 posted 2016-02-10 10:45 AM


Absolutely, Lori! No, we don't have ISIS to fear here in the states, although they ARE here, growing, getting stronger silently. To ignore them is foolhardy, but we don't have to fear, really fear them now, it is the future which is tugging at that fear of mine.

~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere
2 posted 2016-02-10 10:53 AM


It is when our fears get out of hand and begin to control us that we have a problem (real or imagined). Thanks for commenting~L
Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
3 posted 2016-02-10 11:06 AM


You analyze fear and fearlessness with great accuracy, dear Lori. It hurts so much when we think of the cruel and heinous acts perpetrated against humanity in all epochs. And yet we have great difficulty to learn the lessons and to change our behavior. What we call a valley of tears, our lives, has expanded to unknown dimensions. And yet so many souls work using the tool of Love and justice, to bring comfort to victims and to eradicate the causes for war and terrorism.

Indeed, when we lose the ability to listen to our sensitive hearts we are at high risk of becoming complices with those who have no conscience anymore to guide them. Fearful and fearless can't probably be leveled out easily to be harmoniously balanced. But try we must to act against those who have forgotten and buried the law of love.

Thought provoking piece.

Love and hugs.
Margherita

"Forget every touch or sound that did not teach you how to dance."
(Rumi)

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere
4 posted 2016-02-10 11:44 AM


Thanks Margerhita!
I'm so glad you commented! And you completely understand where I'm coming from!
Thank you! ~L

ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
5 posted 2016-02-10 03:27 PM


Wow Lori!
Is that ever deeply conceived reasoning.
I just loved it beginning to end......What a world we live in these days.

You're right on!

Eric

true love never looks after it's own interests

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere
6 posted 2016-02-11 11:48 AM


Thanks Eric!
Yes, I've been known to get deep but usually it is in BS! LOL! Thanks for commenting! ~L

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
7 posted 2016-02-11 09:02 PM


Lots of thought here...james
Cari
Member
Posts 411
Englnand
8 posted 2016-02-12 11:45 AM


Quote; And today we mustn’t live in fear of the terrorist here

On the threat of ISIS to Americans I would say that as you an individual are many times at risk of injury in your car than from any danger from a terrorist attack. By that I mean by as many thousands to one as you want to settle for.
Will terrorists attack? Yes of course if they can, but to put that threat into perspective. The number of Americans killed by terrorism in the last decade: 24. Number of Americans killed by guns in the last decade: 280,024.

So why is the fear of an outside attack used by politicians?
Because it deflects the publics attention away from the real everyday problems that face society.
It’s an old tactic that’s been used for centuries by those who seek the power to control and in too many instances it succeeds because it provides simplistic answers to a variety of complicated issues.
First it creates the image of a strong leader; very few would favour a weak leader. So what follows are the sound bites, ‘I’ll make the country strong again’, ‘I will take our country back again’, and so on.
The last tool used is to provide the people with a scapegoat i.e. get rid of the scapegoat and all will be fine.
It’s not a question of who uses these tactics to win elections, the answer is both the left and the right have done so and the hunger for power is the driving force for each side of the political spectrum.

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere
9 posted 2016-02-12 03:01 PM


Wise words Cari! And I agree 100%. As far as I'm concerned there is only one candidate running that seems to be seeking power for the people more than himself. I'm feeling the Bern. He is no show pony politician. ~L
Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere
10 posted 2016-02-12 03:20 PM


Thanks James! ~L
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
11 posted 2016-02-23 01:23 AM


Good job, my friend.
MissMarti
Member
Posts 87
USA
12 posted 2016-02-23 09:34 AM



GREAT writing! Wow! You really nailed the fear of "fear,"
Congrats, Lori
If it's okay with you, I would like to keep this and put it on my refrigerator. I am a bit of a worrier and need to know that it's okay, we need to Fear.

hugs, Marti

"He wI'll lead you safely through all things:
And when you cannot stand it, He will bury
you in his arms"
           St.Francis deSales

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