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Writer's pictureShoshannah Hollon

Be Very Not Afraid.

There are things happening in the world like they have always happened. It's just that it's our turn to watch them happen, and to be a part of the happenings.

How will we handle our fear of the unknown? How will we handle the manifestation of our actions? It's a test of character. It's a test of will and strength of soul.

I looked up "fear" in the Webster. Fear itself is defined as, "an unpleasant, often strong emotion, caused by anticipation or awareness of danger."

So, fear can be formed from the idea or thought that something bad might happen. We don't even know if it's going to come to pass, but the mere idea that it could, causes physical symptoms to manifest in our bodies. To be afraid, the action of fear, is to expect the worst, with alarm! "Oh, shit! Here it comes!"

How will we make correct decisions if we are afraid? How will we calm ourselves down and see clearly?

In my world the answer is always the same: go to the mountains. Things always make sense in the woods where the truth is crystal clear.

In March, the world started talking about being sick. I don't like it when my neighbors talk about being sick, let alone the whole damn world! With 4 kids to keep healthy, my first rule is always, "Don't talk about it! Don't give it a name or it will be your pet and it will try to live with you."

To entertain a thought means that you are letting it sit with you awhile, trying it on for size, seeing how it feels. Well my friends, you'd better be very aware of who you are entertaining! Don't let the idea of sickness and death put it's feet up on your ottoman! Don't give it lemonade and ask it to dinner! By all means, move very far away from the TV, the internet, and the twittery "news."

What can you change? You can change you. You can change your surroundings. You can change what you watch, read, listen to, and who you spend time with. Cling to what is real, right in front of you.

My 11 year old daughter asked me, "Mom, is this scary or funny?" How poignant.

It's both, sweetheart.

It's scary that everyone is so quick to follow a "rule" without question. It's scary to watch mass hysteria. It's scary that I am not sure where the enemy is.

It's funny that this is the cleanest any public bathroom has ever been. It's funny to realize how often I hug other humans. It's funny that when my brothers wore masks for the first time, separately into the store, and then saw each other, they hugged each other and one of their masks got knocked off!

You can't stop human love. We have to get it and give it to survive. My family/friend clan would rather die together than live separately. We would rather enjoy freedom on our last day of life, than live confined for eternity.

I have a rebel bone that lives in my body, that will never die. I had a baby in a bus, for god-sake. I have a sense of responsibility to myself, my husband, my kids, and my family/friend clan to be extra brave unto the end!

I pick herbs off the hill to keep us healthy. I stay out of casinos. I poop in the woods. I wash my hands a lot! I drink more water than whiskey. I walk in Florence, behind a miner, with very long legs, over lots of deadfall, and try my best to keep up. I think funny things that make me laugh. I read things that make me feel powerful. I grow a garden and I have 13 lucky chickens. I am living, not surviving! I am growing old on this porch, damn it, if I have to drag the rocking chair out there myself!

Go to the mountains. Go pan the pay-dirt. Make a pile of treasure. Spend time with your family. Dig an outhouse. Make new friends, preferably ones with 4 wheelers! Stay out of the city unless you really need to sell your gold. Build big fires and wear mosquito spray. If you set up a huge tarp, it's sure to keep the rain away. Live your life the way you are meant to, not the way they tell you to.


"Fear is a sickness. It will crawl into the soul of anyone who engages it....I did not raise you to see you live with fear. Strike it from your heart. Do not bring it into our village." -Flint Sky, Apocalypto.



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