UNAPOLOGETICALLY AMERICAN

There are many things in our world to fear, and we fear those things in various degrees. Everything from trying haggis in Scotland to awareness of the possibility of a dying in a fire. The haggis sounds repulsive if you know how it is prepared, but it is absolutely delicious when properly done. On a scale of 10, my fear level in Edinburgh, Scotland was about a 3 figuring if it didn’t kill me, or trigger a severe round of regurgitation, I would survive it… and I was correct.

Of all the ways for my life to end, I believe dying in a fire would be the worst, and just the idea registers a 10, on my fear scale. There is a very slim possibility that will be my life’s grand finale. I have never been a worrier, and in probable reality I have very rarely thought about death at all, but I do accept that we do not live forever, and death itself registers a 1 on my scale of 10. All things are possible, but when balanced against probable likeliness, they are usually relegated to a compartment in our minds.
Many people fear death, yet some look forward to it to end physical or emotional pain. I don’t believe that most people spend much time pondering a visit from Thanatotheristes.

Fears are commonplace within most human beings, and most of us have their own particular fears, some founded, and others unfounded. The demons of PTSD affect many people, and they create primarily emotional reactions. Paranoid personality disorder is a personality disorder characterized by paranoia, and a pervasive, long-standing suspiciousness and generalized mistrust of others. Paranoia can be accompanied by fight or flight reactions.

There is one particular fear that infects most people… the fear of failure! Most people with even a scintilla of intelligence are subject to this fear. Many intelligent people do not recognize this fear. The fear may be there, they just refuse to give it notice. It has been said that Thomas Edison failed to create electricity 10,000 tmes. Edison saw that failure only happened when one surrenders to it, and that failure is nothing more than a stumbling block to the highly motivated,
The manufacturers of WD-40 (which stands for what we have today as a Water Displacement chemical, successful on the 40th attempt) did not surrender in their efforts, but pressed on until they created their invention.
The signs of failure fear can be complex or simple. What they indicate is low self-esteem, a condition that is not conducive to success! If anyone reading this has impressionable children (1-16yrs) living at home, understand that self esteem is built in the home. Support you child’s efforts with encouragement and guidance, do not allow them to quit if their first effort is unsuccessful, but do not demand anything. Remember that we are born to be imperfect beings, and that positive reinforcement of accomplishments is the key to helping a child become a successful adult! Positive reinforcement is a type of operant conditioning, a type of learning that uses rewards and punishments to influence behavior. Rewards are given with enthusiasm, corrections are emphatic. The basic idea behind operant conditioning is that we’re more likely to repeat behaviors that are rewarded and less likely to repeat the ones that are punished. Social reinforcers are rewards in the form of social approval, praise, or recognition. For example, even if you don’t receive any money, getting publicly recognized for your contribution to a volunteer organization is a form of social reinforcement. Praising children is another form of social reinforcement that’s been found to be effective. For example, a 2021 article found that praise can be effective in promoting positive student behavior when used correctly.
Positive reinforcement of one’s efforts is the foundation of business management, and other authority figures. Failure is easily acceptable to many, but most extremely wealthy people are the result of encouragement and training within the family. On opposite ends of the spectrum, neither Donald Trump nor George Soros accepts failure.

Social reinforcers are rewards in the form of social approval, praise, or recognition. For example, even if you don’t receive any money, getting publicly recognized for your contribution to a volunteer organization is a form of social reinforcement. Praising children is another form of social reinforcement that’s been found to be effective. For example, a 2021 article found that praise can be effective in promoting positive student behavior when used correctly.

Fear of failure is something I have never truly experienced. I have had occasional doubts about my success in accomplishing a particular new challenge, but I accepted and overcame those challenges. In my nine decades on this world, I am not highly motivated by money, ergo I am not financially wealthy. Success is an individual feeling/emotion in life, a sense of satisfaction that you did your best throughout your life experiences.

YOUR THOUGHTS?