The only thing we have to fear...

     "Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, professionals built the Titanic." ~Unknown~


      Fear...a powerful word for just 4 tiny letters.  Those 4 letters are such a subtle part of every day society that we barely recognize it any more outside of the times a horrific event occurs.  However, it has subtly woven its way into the very fabric of the everyday.  Things as simple as the news.  Have you ever notice how all they talk about is one tragedy after another?  A murder over here, child missing there, fire ravages apartment building in City X.  Not all are even local.  Terrifying stories from around the country are told on every local station around the country.  Since when is it their job to broadcast world news?  Is that not why there is World news right after it???  Even their "good" news pieces involve fear.  "I got ripped off by company X" and then in come our hero who gets their money back by hunting them down...so make sure to look out for these scams!  Fucking ridiculous.  Granted, from time to time there is that good, heartfelt story.  But they are to far and few between.
     That is one area of fear in our everyday lives.  That is a little more blunt and in your face.  The fear that scares me the most is the subtle fears.  I have had several conversations recently with people who do not understand why this movement has started.  They say one of my most hated phrases "Well that's just the way it is."  Really?  THAT is your argument on why things shouldn't be better?  Thank god for my female friends that back in the day...some people didn't think that way, or else they wouldn't be voting right now.  Or my African American brothers.  Without people standing up and saying "Hey!  that's not right!"  They would still be going to separate schools, having separate water fountains, and sitting no where on the bus but the back.  All of those things were the "norm"...that didn't make it right.  Just because something is the way it is also does not make it right.
     Today I posted an article on 2 dozen millionaires going to congress to simply say "tax us".  I was told people should "mind their own business and keep their hands our of other peoples pockets".  Well of COURSE!  That has worked SO well for this economy. To me, this is a retort of fear.  Fear of change.  Change is necessary for growth.  if we do not change, we become complacent and stagnant.  We must not fear change, but embrace it.  It is through change that all great things are accomplished.
     Remember, the future is an  unknown, and the unknown is the most powerful fear there is.  At this point in history we have 2 choices.  Choice one...We continue down the path we are on.  Its easy.  We don't have to fight.  Its ok though because it's "the way it is". Why change?  Although it is "uncertain", I think we all know this is a future only the very wealthy want.  One where we get shit for pay, they drive companies into the ground, get bailed out, and STILL get bonuses.  While the rest of us do what we do now.  Fail to make this bill or that.  work 40+ hours a week with minimal benefits.  Then there is Choice Two...We fight.  We fight for those things we know are right.  This future is more frightening.  It is more unknown.  But I can tell you one thing of this future.  It holds much more Hope for us than option one.  I use a phrase when talking about love a lot.  This movement fits right in.  This is a High risk, High reward movement.  Fighting for THIS future could have its down side...but that is only if we fail...but failing is NOT an option.  So...WHEN we win...the upside is there for us to define.
     So please, go forth KNOWING it WILL get scary.  Quite possibly more scary than any of us can imagine.  But know that once we have conquered that fear, the reward will be so great you will look back on the fear as a minor nuisance.  Standing up against fear is what this country is founded on and it is how we will move this country forward.  Stand on that line, knowing the person beside you is facing the same fear as you, but together, we will stare that fear in the face, laugh at it, and conquer it!