The Opposite of Fear

The Opposite(ˈäpəzət) of Fear

By Steve Pavlina

Based on what I’ve been seeing regarding(rəˈɡärdiNG) people’s reactions to the unfolding coronavirus(kəˈrōnəˌvīrəs) situation, many seem to be trying to keep themselves out of fear mode.

Instead of fear, they suggest adopting(əˈdäpt) a mode of thinking and being they typically describe with words like optimism(ˈäptəˌmizəm) or love.

Stay positive. Don’t be afraid(əˈfrād). Don’t panic(ˈpanik). Turn towards love.

Yet when you look at their responses and attitudes(ˈadəˌt(y)o͞od), what they’re really doing is one of more of these:

Hoping that everything will be okay
Guessing
Waiting
Ignoring or downplaying risks(risk)
Making claims based on mathematical(ˌmaTH(ə)ˈmadək(ə)l) ignorance(ˈignərəns)
Reposting debunked(dēˈbəNGk) memes(mēm)
Trying to encourage others not to fear
Stocking up on food and toilet(ˈtoilit) paper
Sanitizing(ˈsanəˌtīz) their hands…

Is this really the opposite of fear though? Is this even moving away from fear all that much?

I’d say that the opposite of fear is more likely to include actions such as these:

Seeking to understand the situation more accurately(ˈakyərətlē)
Gathering facts, details, and relevant(ˈreləvənt) predictive(prəˈdiktiv) information
Assessing(əˈses) risks(risk)
Making rational(ˈraSHnəl,ˈraSHənl) predictions based on relevant models and data
Identifying, defining, and prioritizing(prīˈôrəˌtīz,ˈprīərə-) problems
Devising(dəˈvīz) solutions to problems
Implementing solutions and lifestyle adjustments
Sharing facts, details, and actionable(ˈakSHənəbəl) info with others
Asking questions to increase understanding
Cooperating(kōˈäpəˌrāt) with others to identify, prioritize, and solve problems
Coordinating(kōˈôrdəˌnāt) with others to implement solutions
Monitoring changes to the dynamic(dīˈnamik) situation

Many people are doing a bit from both lists, which is to be expected. We have our rational side and our irrational(iˈraSHənl) aspects(ˈaspekt).

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https://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2020/03/the-opposite-of-fear/