Fear Part 3

Another example of fear common to highly competitive individuals is called the fear of failure. The fear of failure has motivational qualities in which the individual attempts to avoid the failure. Personally, years ago it was about six weeks prior to the 100 mile Western States trail run, when I developed an overuse injury. I was running with Tony, Tom and others on our usual Wednesday night run. I was showing off by keeping pace with my younger friends. I was scheduled to run a 50 mile trail run with my friend Bob on the coming Saturday. The injury was a setback. Instead of getting proper rest and smart rehabilitation, my logical and rational thinking got hijacked by my emotions. Foolishly, I thought that I still had to train hard, after just two weeks of minor rest and rehabilitation. I was irrationally fearful and my clouded thinking believed that I had lost significant muscle memory and muscle strength in that short period of time. That example was neither the first nor the last time that I overcompensated with fear getting in the way. My overcompensation was strictly -based on fear.

On the other hand, the desire, or seeking out of experiences that are consciously or unconsciously feared are called counter phobia per A Psychiatric Glossary. There are numerous examples that one places themselves in a situation that is dangerous and scary. For some, all it takes is for someone to say “you are a scaredy-cat” or “I’ll bet you that you can’t or won’t do that” for that individual to make the leap. In adolescence, with its peer pressure, numerous behavioral examples of fear-based stupidity can be found.

Fear of failure is just one example how we attempt to compensate, overcome and deal with fear and anxiety during our lifetime. Some seek power, control, fame, money, etc. in order to compensate for their underlying fear or fears. It doesn’t matter how much power, control, fame, money, etc. that one accumulates. The fear being internal will always be there because fear is constituted in our brain and is part of our nature.

As far as existential thought, the following ideas are relevant regarding fear: 1. Man is a being that will someday die.2. Man has strong irrational forces within him 3. Man cannot be comforted by religion {sexual abuse}, political {toxic Republican –Democratic divide}, scientific {nuclear bombs} or other illusions.4.Man, by living with these realities, finds life difficult and coupled with anxiety and dread.

Existential philosophy foreshadowed the Human Potential Movement with more current ideas pertaining to self-actualization, well being, and happiness. Thank you Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger and Sartre for insights regarding human motivation. You influenced my thinking.

 On the bright side, keep moving, build muscle, and eat healthy to reduce the fear of aging.