Fear sucks

Fear is a natural blocker and is designed to increase our chances of survival. As Rincewind would put it, ‘Back in the olden days, (…) people faced with hungry saber-toothed tigers could be divided very simply into those who panicked and those who stood there saying “What a magnificent brute!” and “Here, pussy.”‘

Fearless people have usually less dull, but shorter lives. I’m not fearless and I trust my fears will, at some point in my life, add common sense to some crucial decision.

In general, I have to say I’m more scared of Mother Nature, than of people. You may be able to talk someone out of killing you, but try to speak to an earthquake or a hurricane.

Fear particularly sucks when it arrives in the middle of the night and for no reason. It deprives you of a very much needed rest, sometimes to the extent of posing a real threat to your life, later during the day. Try descending an icy slope by a glacier without having slept, as we did once in Slovenia, and you’ll know what I mean.

I’m sick and tired of waking up to noises and having to lay there with a pounding heart all night. I now sleep with ear plugs so that nothing will disturb my peace and quiet. If a bear comes along there’s not much I’ll be able to do anyway, right? At least let me die in my sleep and I’ll arrive full of energy to Fólkvangr.