Facing our fears.

It is quite natural to have fears. Fear is an emotion that keeps us safe. For example, the fear of being chased makes us run faster, the fear of being burnt keeps us away from hot things and the fear of fast traffic keeps us from crossing the road and getting run over. Fear is a part of us just like joy and pride. The fear of spiders, snakes and scorpions have kept us safe for over a millennia. Our prehistoric ancestors did not have hospitals stocked with anti- venom, they had a fear that kept them away from these creatures. That same fear is still an instinct present in us today. Fear however should be reasonable, and for the very few people who have trouble controlling this fear, it is really unreasonable and extremely stressful. There is hypnotherapy and various other methods, but for someone who processes 'unreasonable' fear it really is very hard to address it until they themselves are truly ready to do so. Most people however, overcome their fear of such creatures by being able to learn more about the object of their fear, then calmly and slowly introducing themselves to it with a knowledgeable person present. Do not be fearful of your fear. Face it sensibly and it may well go away or at least be something you can deal with.

Invertebrates often cause us to feel fear. Do not panic! This is Molly and various members of her family quietly investigating my hand.