Fear Itself

"So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief

that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself-

nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror

which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."

Excerpt from FDR's first inaugural address, 1933 

Franklin D. Roosevelt took office in the depths of the Depression and his first speech as US President contained this well-known sentence.  FDR not only wanted Americans to know he understood the concrete weight of the Depression but that the fear it inspired had to be overcome so America could rise up and come back from the economic failure.

I admit to only being familiar with the first half of the sentence, but it is the second part that brings its power to bear.  It urges us to overcome fear so that any inertia it brings can be pushed back, allowing forward motion.

When fear is at the wheel, the driving is in reverse.

Photo by scottcan of Free Digital Photos

This, I believe, is the at the core of what caused Penn State's problems regarding the child abuse scandal.  The fear of what could happen to a revered, strongly supported, hugely successful athletic program had to have crept into the minds of university decision makers as witnessed reports of Coach Sandusky's destructive conduct were told in 1994,1998, 2000, and 2002.  http://www.npr.org/2011/11/08/142111804/penn-state-abuse-scandal-a-guide-and-timeline

Fear is not always an overt action like cowering in the corner or screaming in pain.  It often lurks in the corners of our psyche, urging us to take the quieter, safer route. I feel it is the thing that caused the catastrophic failure in decision making when college administrators and staff put athletics first and the victims last. 

It is a dangerously human catalyst that, if left unbridled, fails.  

I recall years ago reading a book titled, "Feel The Fear and Do It Anyway."  I forget any of the book's contents but the title has stayed with me because it so aptly sums up the book's premise. I catch myself restating the title as a mini-mantra when I am stalled by fear (which is pretty often).  Allowing ourselves to be fearful is a mighty impulse.  Some say it gives the edge we need to move beyond its primal vice grip.  But, all too often, we allow it to stop us from doing what must be done. 

Performers of all kinds are often heard to have stage fright just before they go on.  Heck, even presidential candidates note that fear rises up just before they debate live on television. It is ever present. Unchecked fear is sinister. It is duplicitous. While it reminds us that there are consequences to our actions, fear can handicap us by making us believe it is an answer.

Fear definitely sets off alarms.  How we respond makes all the difference. 

An August, 2011 article about fear appears in "Psychology Today" http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/reframing-change/201108/anxiety-self-help-experiencing-fear-and-performing-anyway

To read FDR's complete 1933 inaugural speech:  http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5057/