We have already looked at Frightened, today we will investigate Fear. It is a deeper, darker, harder emotion then frightened. Basically, it is a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, real or imagined. All of have dealt with fear and some of us have dealt with paralyzing fear. However imagine living with this level of fear, every human, every contact, every dark corner, every hand reaching out, every police officer, every car that goes by, absolute fear, impending danger real or imagined. That is the life of the homeless, and they say it is by choice.
Simply Fear, It Is Unknown, It Is Fear
Those who are commanded to obey as children, demand obedience as adults, but are not mature enough to handle it, a quote from William, a friend of Howard’s
Fear is something that when you hit the streets is stalking out there like an invisible giant waiting to come and say hi and it will not be long after you have landed in its territory that it will come over for a visit. You can ignore it and walk from it for a while, but eventually things will happen out here that will open the door to fear making it’s home in your soul.
What is the difference between fear and being frightened, evidence of harm and hurt and wounding. Frightened is believing something will probably happen to you and fear is knowing that something has happened and will most likely happen again and again. In the real-world Fear simply means, “Facts Appearing As Real,” in my new world Fear means, “Facts Empowering (the) Assassinating (of) Reality!”
Authorities in our society both expect and command certain behaviors, obedience, from us humans and when we are not able to meet the commands repercussions come and that births fear within us. Now here is the truth, the authorities are not wrong, it is just this, as homeless, hurting and poverty-stricken humans we are unable to meet most of the commands. The conflicts between the expectation and the inability to meet that command is what produces the fear. And instead of being seen as fearful and afraid, we are instead seen as difficult and law breakers.
On the streets, we live in a state of fear because of the unknown, it is something that those who have homes, jobs, pantries and the like simply can’t wrap their heads around. Fear is something you may or may not experience, news from a doctor, news from a family member, an accident, an incident all may produce fear for a time, but you do not live in a state of fear. That is why it is hard for you to understand why we behave as we do so often and why we hide and move and stay out of sight as much as possible, because we are afraid. Again, fear is a terrible thing to have cloaked over you, but how to break it, how?
Fear is a terrible name to have, a terrible life to live and a horrible way to feel all the time, but how else is it to be when one is on the streets struggling to just barely get by? Will the police stop me and arrest me for sitting, will they hurt me as they have in the past, will the passerby call the cops, will they throw things at me, will they allow their dog to bite me? Will the children be told that I am a dangerous person to be avoided?
Fear breaks down the baseline of one’s humanity, dignity and destroys all hope. Most of you are fully aware of the end result of the loss of hope, it is a dangerous road when discouragement gives way to being frightened and then frightened to fear, we often call it quits.
No, my being in fear is nobody’s fault, I blame no one, that does no good, but hear is a question for you, “Why are you afraid of me?” That is the unique question no one will ask or attempt to answer, why are you afraid of me, I am not going home with you, nor to school or the store, you are perfectly safe in your cars and homes, why are you afraid? It is that innate , deep seated fear that this too could happen to you?
Will You Allow Me to Have to have to Wear Fear
OR
Will You Simply Step Up and Set Me Free, Yes
