Tuesday, August 18, 2009

F.E.A.R.

There is only one universal passion: fear- George Bernard Shaw

I chanced upon this quote and thought of all the things I’m afraid of. So many things come to mind and some of them are just irrational! But apparently everyone has at least one irrational fear. I’ll tell you two of mine;

I’m afraid of the dark. I’m afraid of dark alleys, dark rooms and dark streets, anything dark. I’m afraid of what might be lurking in there. Waiting to “catch me”! I’m afraid of not being able to see what is out there. I can’t even sleep in a dark room. There has to be some light sifting in through the window or at least a nightlight. I’m afraid of being afraid of the dark.

I’m afraid of clowns, masqueraders (kaakaamotobi), fancy dress parties, I’m afraid of it all. Why do you have to dress up all weird? The point is….? Tell me what is funny about clowns? Or masqueraders?... So I’m afraid of it. Because they look scary. (You can tell I’m being a bit defensive here, huh?) Unfortunately, this particular one is a proper phobia, hyperventilation, sweats, shivers and asthmatic attacks!

I know y’all will laugh. But we are all afraid of something. I’ve told you some of the weird things I’m afraid of…What are you afraid of?

18 comments:

  1. I hate clowns and masqueraders too!...I don't fear them though. I just have an intense dislike for them. I'm not a fan of animals either. I mean I can look at their cuteness from a distance. The dogs at my parents house are not even my friends! ...And I've been singing for years but I always get nervous before singing infront a large crowd(about 14,000 people go to my church every wknd)...yikes!

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  2. Hmm, Max, big dogs are scary too!... I'm sure any normal human being would get the jitters if they had to stand in front of such a huge number! Its a wonder the cat doesn't steal your voice.:-)

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  3. I'm afraid of losing my mind (what's left f it)

    Or not losing my mind but my body (ie. being able to think but not able to do)

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  4. Well I am afraid of closed spaces, is that claustrophobia? In fact, I am afraid of dying in a tunnel anytime I think of this I begin to suffocate and have to relax and calm down. It is so severe that I get scared.

    Also, I don't like (not actually hate, but don't feel comfortable) in the midst of a large group of people who are not my friends.

    I am afraid of height. At KNUST I never went beyond the second floor (Unity Hall).

    I am also afraid of losing my mind.

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  5. The psychiatrists have something they call 'flooding'. A person is placed in the very environment they dread until they are mentally flooded with this fear. Sooner or later the mind will come to realise that that dread is not deadly. Darkness, height can all be cured this way.
    What got me thinking is when you stated that you will share two of yours. Lol. That to me means there are many more. Geez KAO! This do.Put on a pair of high-heels and take a seat in a room and shout out to those around to switch off the lights tonight. Nobody should lift a finger untill your sreams die out. Good luck. Hehehe!

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  6. I'm afraid of Growing old (does that count?) and of dogs!

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  7. Ok, I'm DEATHLY afraid of snakes. And I'm not even talking about the live ones, thats another story. I'm talking pictures- in books, on tv, toy snakes, anything that looks like a snake. Bring a picture of a snake near me (for the purpose of scaring me) and I will probably pass out. I cant even touch anything with a picture of a snake. I can go on and on, but you get the point. he he.

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  8. Faf, loss of one's mental faculties is a big thing! I think its the most rationally scary thing in this world. But we are all a little mad anyway...
    Being trapped in a paralysed body...thats a thought! Brrrr.

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  9. Hmm Nana F, so you are one of those anti-elevator people, huh?
    My big fat strong uncle almost suffocated once when we were in an elevator because he is afraid of both heights and closed spaces!... Don't go near them!

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  10. Yeah, flooding is a psychotherapeutic measure that is usually used when your anxiety disorder affects your quality of life. If it doesn't, it is usually not advised. The downsides of this measure is that the patient may have an onset of panic disorder, or regress into the use of drugs and alcohol... Ah, enough psychology for the day. You didn't say what you are afraid of. Or are you the bravest man here?:-)

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  11. Snakes too...if I see one on TV, gotta chnage chanels!,I don't even know why they make accessories in the shape of snakes. I'm afraid they would come alive! I'm with Anon. on that one!I hate being backed up against a wall too...shoot...well...unless it's gonna lead to something else!...hehe

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  12. NYA, growing old counts! Fear of being saggy and wrinkly, incontinent, demented....ok, enough!
    Dogs! I now know how to scare you.;-)

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  13. 1. I'm afraid of not following my dreams...and of waking up one day at age 90 and realizing i have not lived
    2. I'm also afraid of marrying the wrong man.
    3. I'm afraid of snakes.
    4. I'm afraid of childbirth.
    5. I'm afraid of losing my vision or my hands...because it will mean i can no longer read or write.

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  14. Anon, even in pictures? TV? Wow, thats something. Its a pity Eve didn't have your phobia in the Garden...
    Now you got Miss Maxy to agree too. But erm, Max er...what else could backing up against the wall lead to. Hehehe.

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  15. Esi, I'm with you on the dreams...with me I think I'm afraid of not being happy with what I'll become.
    The wrong man can mess you up big time, very rational fear.
    You are with the "snake crew" eh?
    Childbirth, I was only talking about this with my friend a couple of days ago. Scares the living daylight outa me!
    In addition to losing the vision and hands I'm afraid of losing the mind too!
    Brrr.
    Now no amount of flooding or conditioning can stop some of these fears, I tell you!

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  16. I'm glad im not the only one who has this fear of snakes! And yes Kwegyirba, I'm afraid of pictures of snakes. My heart skips a beat whenever I stumble unto a page with a picture of a snake. Sometimes, I get so upset I throw whatever it is, book or newspaper away, depending on whether or not it was free. He he, or I will go through the careful process of folding the page (so I dont see the nasty picture) and then rip it out, if I can.....

    Its crazy, I know.

    I also share Maxine's other strong dislike for animals. I will only admire them from far far away, preferably, television.

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  17. I AM AFRAID OF SNAKES!!! ITS MORE THAN JUST FEAR. I DESPISE THEM..I THINK THEY ARE A WASTE OF SPACE ON EARTH AND FRANKLY THEY REMIND ME OF THE DEVIL..SO IF U LIKE SNAKES OR HAVE A PET SNAKE , I JUST SEE YOU IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT!!! FOR REALS...(I know its irrational, but chale even 'flooding' won't help me)

    Now that the devil is out of the way,
    I am also afraid of marrying the wrong man.
    I hate clowns and such ..but not afraid of them
    I am afraid of losing my eye sight (i wear glasses)
    I am afraid of losing my mind (hence i prefer it when people say 'Shels, u're funny' or 'Shels, u're a joker' to 'Heh, Shels, u fool oh. u're too special'..lol..makes me feel like i'm not correct.lol)

    It's only the snakes that make my skin crawl, hyperventilate, sweat, scream etc etc... i can't even begin to describe it..

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  18. Hahaha, Shels, the "snake crew" welcomes you! I really don't know who's worse...you or Anon?
    So who decided to create clowns?
    The wrong man and eye sight I think are rational fears.
    As for your "you're not correct/you are crazy" phobia... I shall remember never to say that to you!

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