What do you when you're afraid?

All of the sudden spikes in terrorism-related stuff in the past week on TV, from the Pentagon, from the White House, and even the Internet have left me pretty worried lately. I just have this feeling that something is big is going to happen soon like others have felt here.

Look, I don't know whether or not these terrorist threats are trumped up the Bushies or not. I don't know whether the CIA is behind these bombings. I really don't. But WHO is behind these things is secondary to me. If someone releases a biological weapon into the public soon, it's not going to matter if it was Al-Qaeda or the CIA, the only thing that will matter is that it was released and many people will die.

What do you do when you feel like this? I haven't felt like this since shortly after 9/11 with the anthrax stuff and everything spiraling out of control. Someone comfort me and tell me that nothing is going to happen.

It's times like these that you realize just how overrated safe and healthy living is.

:D

:toast:

Feel great after that.

I swear it's the only thing that keeps me sane. Also, I have dinner with my spouse every night. We sit down, often with candlelight, open up some wine and try to keep calm. I also discovered the healing power of great music -- it is amazing what a little Mozart, Brahms, or Beethoven can do for me.

and whimper like a schoolgirl.

I know that might seem silly, but when a person is afraid, their breath pattern changes (often people hold their breath) and they can't think straight. If one makes sure to keep one's breath even, one will find that emotions can change, and you can think.

Costa Rica, and any other place I think I might fancy living

Extraordinary how a bit of exercise and contact with the outside world helps.

Besides, we'll all die one day.

I properly prepare, i.e., I have 2 courses of Tamiflu for each member of my family in my boats full med kit, the normal disaster food and supplies to last 6 months,, generator on my home, electric bikes for getting around, solar on my boat for full power requirements, etc. I put all those energy’s of fear into something productive so I sleep at night without worrying too much.

BTW, tamiflu is skyrocketing in price, if you wish to get some, i would suggest you get it sooner than later...

I live out in the boonies. :)

Do you need a 'script from a doc?

I was also thinking about getting courses of Cipro, but where can you get them without prescription?

They want me to be afraid. I am not afraid. I win.

Besides, being afraid will not change it. It will either happen or it won't. I am as prepared as I want to be for hurricanes, terrorist attacks, or whatever comes down the pike. I work as hard as I can for better leadership. What does it accomplish to be miserable all the time?

better yet ignore it.I had three hurricanes come within 12 miles of my home last year.I really am not afraid of anything anymore.

and my 17 year old son... When that happens I educate myself more, I get more active in the things I do on a daily basis.... Rum always helps and a good nonsensical chat with friends over Yahoo.

But that's just me.

It may sound silly, but it is very meditative.

why not!

I just ignore that stuff now. If it happens, it happens. I can't keep myself on constant "alert" 24/7, that's just crazy. No one can live thataway. I try to focus on the day-to-day, and weekends are for the smoking and heavy drinking...

and chill with my friends and some good beer and fresh fish. Since we all know we're going to die some day, it makes no sense allowing people to scare us. Do what you enjoy most particularly since you have real doubts about the non-stop fear factor.

family. So I buy can goods, bleach, coffee, chocolate, sundries, and other staples, and stash them away for a rainy day. It may sound odd, but it gives me piece of mind, and makes me feel a little better.

puts all the fear the media is spreading in perspective. It is pretty much all BS so you really don't have to be afraid. My best advice, stop watching TV, or listening to anything on the radio, except AAR.

Seeing how there is nothing we can really do to 'prepare' (for what/when/how) then worrying about it is not only a waste of time, but bad for your health.

Don't worry - be happy, for the end of * is surely nigh.

I hold my head erect
And whistle a happy tune,
So no one will suspect I'm afraid.

While shivering in my shoes,
I strike a careless pose
And whistle a happy tune,
So no one ever knows I'm afraid.

The result of this deception
Is very strange to tell,
For when I fool the people I fear,
I fool myself as well.

I whistle a happy tune,
And every single time,
The happiness in the tune
Convinces me that I'm not afraid.

Make believe you're brave
And the trick will take you far.
You may be as brave
As you make believe you are.

(whistle whistle whistle
whistle whistle whistle)
You may be as brave
As you make believe you are.

--Oscar Hammerstein 2nd, from The King and I

Help everyone you can. Save the animals. Be the best human being you can possibly be. Courage will be found within you that you didn't know you had. Remember that Katrina showed we will not get any help from our "leaders". Recognizing that in some situations no amount of preparation will help, we still want to try to make ourselves somewhat prepared. Practical suggestions: have a family and friends meeting point predetermined which people will try to reach if folks need to flee. Have the pets microchipped. Try to get your own evacuation plan in place for anyone elderly or disabled that you are taking care of. Have their prescriptions etc in a safe place along with other things you need to grab. Learn first aid skills if possible. Do whatever you think you should on the practical side, make your peace with anyone you have wronged, then get on with life. Every day is precious.

...is to go up into the mountains with a bunch of other freaks and a sound system and dance our asses off!

Having spent 26 hours driving from Houston to Austin fleeing a disaster has granted me a bit of perspective when the chicken hawks start yelling about the sky falling.

(1) I have a good idea what will happen if Houston needs to evacuate. I've done it once, I can do it again. Next time I will be better prepared.

(2) Houston might be a juicy target, if you listen to DeLay and Hutchinson. But it is also a big place. It would take a MIRV to damage a significant portion of the city and I rather doubt Al Qaeda can get their hands on one (if any even exist anymore).

(3) Reacting in fear can cause more damage than the thing that is feared. This is what terrorism is FOR.

basically put work in perspective and, really, not give a shit. There is a great anecdote about Saint Francis. A group of monks were asked what they would do if they knew they had one hour to live, so, of course, they give the normal bullshit answers: go pray, flagellate the shit out of themselves, go to communion, get their asses to confession, whatever. When they asked Francis, he was gardening at the time, and he said "I would be gardening," and then he just goes on and keeps gardening. I don't know if it is true or apocryphal, but it seems a pretty good way to approach things.

Oh, and nothing is going to happen. Well, maybe the permafrost thing in Siberia or the polar ice caps are going to keep melting, or a massive collapse of the economy when Greenspan bails in January, or old shit for brains will hear another message from God and think he has to push the red button. But WTF. P.S., my 12-year-old and I were at ( and almost in) the London bombings ( just missed the Piccadilly line to the Russell Square station by 5 minutes, Tavistock Bus went off two blocks from us), so I really am not going to sweat it. Oh, and keep doing whatever you are doing to make it better, so at least you can say, "hey, not my fault. Blame those assholes over there on the right."

Best response I've read.Thanks

bashing the fuckers in office... then, a trip to my own fantasy world in my novel. End the day with some piano and clarinet. Perfect way to forget it all and connect with the REAL higher power.... NATURE.

mood enhancer.

Not much to do about that, right?

I truly believe that all the threats are a farce or just the media blowing things out of proportion. If I were you I would be more worried about how you are going to heat your house this winter if you live in a cold climate. There could be gas outages. Stock up on wood if you have a wood burning fire place.

And maybe invest in a good generator to keep your furnace running when the Ohio electrical grid causes another major black out this winter.

And maybe worry about the economy collapsing when China decides to turn in their notes on the US debt. Take your money out of your 401K and put it under your mattress.

Fell Better?

I don't sweat it. I don't let fear rule my life in any sort of way. When i have found myself feeling uneasy, i set my feet firm and think about possible solutions or things that may help. That tends to make the fear go away, or at least make it manageable.

Having lived through the "red menace" of communism, and the daily fear of being bombed into oblivion todays little scare tactics bother me very little.

What does bother me is the way costs of daily living rising so fast. I don't fear it as much as it does vex me, and i worry for my family. But i have faith in our strength and our ability to continue to keep on keepin' on.

I see it as a bunch of smokescreen BS because the administration's falling apart. More ooga-booga to keep people scared.

but you are going to get tougher...
I promise that is true but it may take awhile. Give it time. You have to grow an extra layer of protection when you're in a state of vulnerability. Takes time.

It's normal to be worried and upset about things today. These are very challenging times. You are not alone. You don't want to deny your fear as it's grounded in reality. But you know you will have to work through it. Look for the positives everyday. The small encouraging signs. You have to actively look for them. Take one small step in a positive direction whenever you feel overwhelmed. Important not to close down the heart, even though your mind is working overtime and stimulating fear responses. Be gentle with yourself and others. To help get outside of yourself and your fear, reach out to someone else. Add some new activity or hobby, if you have time. ACT as though you can cope, ACT as though you are strong and after awhile you will come to believe it.

Sorry to sound like Dr Phil, but this has worked for me and I'm the world's biggest wimp about all this stuff that seems beyond control. It IS really possible to get past fear of The Unknown. It's a mental adjustment. Support groups can help if you need that. But everyone has their own individual way of doing it, in the end. There is a way for you. Trust yourself. You really do have everything you need
:grouphug: