Fear and Trembling

Me, thinkin’

Well, I’ve been thinkin’.

I read a lot of articles in the New York Times and editorials in magazine and lots of opinions on this terrible event in Paris, and I think, as does Noodle, my friend on another blog, that we cannot be caught in a net of fear because it is exactly what ISIS wants us to do. There is another word for ISIS, much less acceptable to them is daesh.

The term is also considered insulting, and the IS itself doesn’t like the name Daesh one bit. Beyond the acronym, “Daesh” sounds like the Arabic “Daes”, meaning “one who crushes something underfoot” as well as “Dahes”, which means “one who sows discord”.Sep 17, 2014 Wikepedia

Reports in an article in the NYT from three young women who were member of ISIS and then began to see the terror that was spread among the inhabitants of Raqqa against men, women and children who would not bow to the stringent rules of the ISIS government, were enlightening and also hair-raising.

A very interesting article in the NYT, as usual, caught my attention. Know thy enemy (not that I have or want any, but you never know) has always been important to me, and this article says so much that I didn’t know about ISIS and the women who are trying to get out.

I think, today, that I am rethinking about writing about the terrors of the world. Cetainly eveyone is aware that we are affected by the events in Paris and Mali and the USA since 9/11, not to mention the random shootings in American at schools and other locations that seem to have become a very real part of the culture, but I, for one, need a break.

If it’s a long nap, so be it. If you need a long nap, take it.

If deep breathing helps, do it. If yoga, Pilates, running, writing, painting, cooking, gardening, watching soccer or football does it, do it. Maybe buy some flowers for someone you love (that includes yourself).

I think that at this point doing anything at all that takes your mind away from events you cannot change, that have already happened, and that are being studied by the CIA, the FBI, intelligence agencies around the world and anyone who can curb the actions of these two groups that are even at odds with one another, then it is healthier for us all to give our energies to those we love, make amends with those we don’t love, and try to live day to day without fear.  This is not to say that we should bury our heads in the sand. No way, Jose. Just remember, like Carlos Casteneda, to be aware of what is over your shoulder.  Not literally, but just be aware of the things going on around you and sidestep those that look like warnings.

Imagine the fears of those in Syria, well-meaning citizens who wake up to daily horrors and threats, whose lives are not in any way comparable to the lives you and I are so fortunate to be living.

Taking a nap is pretty much my only recourse, but you anthros have many to choose from…I know you’ll find one that helps you put aside fear for awhile.

Will these do? Maybe even one flower for a friend…