Good Morning,
Fear can be a dangerous if not deadly thing. We all have it, it is natural. What really counts is how we manage it. Franklin D Roosevelt, our 32nd President, at his 1932 inauguration, began his speech with the following:
"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. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and of vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. - - -"
He was inaugurated at the height of the Great Depression where the unemployment rate was 23.6% and the GDP was a negative 12.9%. Many people had totally lost hope. We have all heard stories of people who lost everything jumping out of windows.
Since then, our country has gone through several fear and lack of hope periods: World War II as Germany and Japan seemed to be destined to take over the world, the cold war and the fear of Communism, and now our fears of Covid for sure and the election outcome for many others. Our media, today, seems to thrive fueling that fear with their numerous doom and gloom news stories.
None of us know, for sure the outcome of anything until it has passed. We can fear it, lose sleep, wring our hands or spend our time dwelling on the absolutely worst possible outcomes. The reality is that this will get us nowhere. Each of us as well as our country has managed to rise above, literally all of our fears. We are here, alive, and for the most part better for it.
Let us not let fear ruin our day. Be concerned, yes but not fearful. If this or that happens, have a plan and be willing to act on it. Take advantage of the situation. Look at the businesses that have been formed or developed new products to meet the needs of people due to the Covid crisis.
Out of a healthy respect for fear and a willingness to act positively to it can come greatness. Yes, the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
Jim
