The Antidote to Fear-2
The farmer, although intrigued by his answer, hired him anyway for he was desperate for help.
The little man proved to be an efficient and committed worker. He worked well around the farm, busy from dawn to dusk, and the farmer was satisfied with his work. One night the wind bellowed loudly and a massive storm began building up. The power went out immediately and it was pitch dark everywhere. Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a flashlight and rushed next door to the hired hand’s quarters.
Deafening thunders roared through the sky. Battery of lightening and mighty winds turned the quiet seashore into a horror scene.
“Wake up!” he shouted and shook the little man. “A storm is coming!”
The man squinted at the light in his face and closed his eyes again indicating he was in no mood to get up. In utter disbelief, the farmer threw a quick glance around his room to ascertain if the worker was actually drunk. But no, the room was clean.
He shook him even more severely this time and yelled at the top of his lungs, “What the hell! Get up and tie things down before they blow away!”
“No sir,” the little man said rolling over in his bed. “I told you, I sleep peacefully in the middle of a storm.”
Enraged by his indifference, the farmer hurled a few slurs and rushed out to prepare for the storm. Outside, however, the haystacks were already covered with tarpaulins. The cows were in the barn, hens in the coop, and the doors were barred. The shutters were tightly secured. Everything was tied down. Nothing could blow away.
Pleasantly surprised, the farmer apologized to the worker and went back to his bed too. To sleep while the storm raged.
The word is preparedness.
When your fear is genuine, arising out of a reasonable anticipation or a certain action (or lack of it), preparedness is the only way to help you face the fear. For example, if you fear failing an exam tomorrow because you haven’t prepared for it, it’s a genuine fear. Positive talk or self-affirmation won’t really help you. Only preparedness will.
Om Namah Shivay
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