Escape from Fear

This page is also available in: Italiano (Italian)

The Chinese are over 1 billion people + immigrants and travelers. Many of them have had contacts with people outside of China. (7 billion people). And some of these other people (7 billion) had contacts with Chinese people, immigrants, and travelers returning from China. Experts have been warning of a pandemic for a long time. How many countries in the world were prepared? People had to face severe restrictions on their freedom. Could they prepare in advance? And in case of another wave, how many of us will prepare themselves? None or almost none, according to the book “The Power of Targeted Choices.”

The book tells a different story in the time of the Saracen invasions.

Other environment and situation, same behavior.

“The Power of Targeted Choices” tells:

“… Many years ago, the inhabitants of one of the many villages overlooking the Mediterranean Sea lived in constant fear of the Saracen raids. There had already been many of them, and the people were tired and weary, as they sought refuge and shelter in the surrounding hills – from where they would watch, terrified and helpless, as their homes were sacked. For a long time, however, the situation seemed calm. Hope and illusion spread through the village that the raids were over. So, instead of preparing defenses, or a contingency plan for future raids, the villagers chose the more comfortable option of not thinking about any future danger, constantly telling themselves that it was over.

“They relaxed, not worrying about the pirates’ depredations. Then one day, at dawn, the villagers heard the bells ringing again. They ran out of their houses and looked out to the sea. But the situation seemed calm; there was not a single ship to be seen…”

Escape From Fear

“… They did not investigate further, preferring not to add to the momentary fear they had felt, and which had already so far led them to despair. Instead, they resorted to a simpler and, above all, more reassuring solution: ‘What is that idiot bell ringer playing at? Is he playing some kind of sick joke? He needs to be taught a lesson, so the rest of us can get some sleep; he’s obviously bored, and has nothing else to do all day but ring that bell!’ The more aggressive of the villagers ran to the church to give the bell ringer the beating he “deserved”; he should be punished for shattering the illusion of safety.

“But…

“They had to flee immediately! The pirates had arrived, and the villagers were now running as the marauders gave chase. The pirates had landed their boats in a hidden cove and had climbed into the bushes unseen; only the bell ringer had seen them because he slept out in the open, at the top of the bell tower. Suddenly awakened by a strange premonition, he had looked down and immediately confirmed his suspicion.”

A Constant State of Fear

“Tired to live in a constant state of fear, the villagers had allowed their anger at the bell ringer to persuade them; it was easier to accept and to vent, smothering the fear that might have alerted and saved them. Blinded by their anger at their powerlessness against the Saracens, they had missed the danger. They were simply tired of constantly considering it. 

“If fear can flow, and we can control it, it can warn us of danger. But if we entrust it to our mental part — to fight it and suffocate it — we will remove ourselves from the reality. Inhibited fear becomes destructive and self-destructive, turning into an internal mine, ready to explode the moment we hit it…”

“The Power of Targeted Choices — 11 Simple Steps to Better Living”. Luis Pisoni and Aurora Mazzoldi, pp. 105-106.