By Charlotte Smith
In recent days media outlets bombarded the nation with news of viruses, political unrest, and what seems to be an endless list of woes. The fear seems to be rising this coming week; one hour of sleep will be lost on Sunday, moods will swing high and low with the full moon on the rise, and Friday is on the 13th.
We are not a nation built on fear, and yet it seems to be taking over every aspect of life in America. If the right person is not in office, our society will fall apart. A plague from China may overtake the nation and leave everyone sick or dead. The stock market is fallen, and a recession may hit the economy.
Leymah Roberta Gbowee, a Nobel Peace Prize winner and peace activist, said, “You can never leave footprints that last if you are walking on tiptoe.”
According to Webster dictionary, fear is an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger, a reason for alarm, and anxious concern.
Fear can be a paralyzing emotion.
Alice Walker, a famous novelist, said, “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”
People should remember their power. Freedom is power and fear is a prison. Changes can happen, but they must start inside of each one of us.
- Work hard.
- Wash your hands for at least 20 to 30 seconds.
- Cover your mouth if you are sick and stay at home if recommended.
- Clean up after yourself.
- Think before you speak, and speak when you must.
- You control your emotions, don’t let your emotions control you.
- Find a gap and fill it. If your community has a need, you can help with, roll up your sleeves and get to work.
- Encourage others, don’t spread fear and negativity, and don’t let others cause you to be fearful and pessimistic.
- Go to bed earlier.
- Make an educated vote.
- Hold your representatives responsible by communicating with them.
- If you see injustice, fight against it.
During Women’s History Month, I want to echo Dorothy Height, another fighter for freedom. She said, “I want to be remembered as someone who used herself and anything she could touch to work for justice and freedom… I want to be remembered as one who tried.”
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