Monday, March 16, 2015

The Good Fear

Of all the fear that the human psyche can handle, a lot of it is compartmentalized.  Do I fear the big one coming to tear down LA?  Of course, as much as I do Ol' Bess just up and disappearing when I'm ready to go somewhere.  There are greater fears, of course, but those are easily swatted down in usual methods.  "Yeah, but what are you gonna do?" and the moment dies.  "Well, I hope not." you say, and on to the next topic.

Then, ever rare...not the kind of thing you chase, but just comes up, is the good fear.  There's enough unknown out there to make one complacent, or even simply satisfied.  Being complacent isn't bad if you aren't harming anyone, and satisfaction is a good thing.  Trying major new things in a life, like a new job, can be such a thing.  We glide from one to the next and it all seems easy to everyone else, but it's a personal battle.  

Looking out for No. 1 in today's America is an unfortunate reality, and I'm not above it.  Watch that number grow, however, and it's hard not to up the energy.  We have wants, it's only natural.  Well, what if?  What if you did it?  What if you campaigned and strove, and dealed and there you are?  If you say what you mean, then isn't this the achieved goal?  It is.  Now...jump!

The good fear almost comes over like buyer's remorse.  Oh, things are fine.  Look at the bright side: there's plenty happening, and it's true.  But what of the call-up?  The sign that you're moving on up, a la George Jefferson, climbing the ladder of success rung by rung?  The patience to wait, hope against hope, "see what happens."  Anyone can do that with life, and in a lot of instances, that's the less-stress way to live.  You won't hear any argument from me.  So many of us here in Pacific Gold have to do it ourselves.  That's the thrill of the gold hunt: you find some.  You hope it isn't Fool's Gold.  You believe the bartender and don't expect him to pour you a Reno Gold (a kid's version of the cocktail for those reading at home).  

Sure, I'm afraid.  But it's good, because it's wonder.  A look to the future and saying "This."  Only one way to find out...