Sufferers of heortophobia must have sweaty palms and palpitations as February 14 (or any other holiday) approaches. But what can be done? We live is a society that is filled with fear. We are assaulted daily--minute-by-minute, actually--with a constant stream of media-generated declarations informing us that we must shoulder yet more worries, for which, conveniently, some seller has a product or service that is a sure-fire cure-all for every concern. Is it any wonder, then, that some people become paralyzed by fear, uncertainty, and doubt (F.U.D.)?
Strangely, this affects a certain segment of the population most around holidays. Perhaps the travel dangers, whether real or perceived, cause consternation; or unfamiliarity with strange surroundings (if one travels elsewhere on holidays) might be the operative spark. Whatever the causes, some folks simply don't want holidays to spoil their otherwise regular worry-filled days. At some point, the worry straws will break the camel's back, which is mean to the camel, I should say.
Strangely, this affects a certain segment of the population most around holidays. Perhaps the travel dangers, whether real or perceived, cause consternation; or unfamiliarity with strange surroundings (if one travels elsewhere on holidays) might be the operative spark. Whatever the causes, some folks simply don't want holidays to spoil their otherwise regular worry-filled days. At some point, the worry straws will break the camel's back, which is mean to the camel, I should say.
Overhearing the term heortophobia (Buffalo Gal is, after all, studying psychology in college) and thinking about all the media-spawned fear reminded moi of an excellent book you might enjoy reading. Oprah recommended it a decade ago, and it remains relevant today--primarily due to a revised edition published in 2010. Watch our book trailer to find out which book I'm talking about. (Then remind moi. I'm terrible with names and titles.)
MPL Book Trailer #71A
The Culture of Fear: Why Americans Are Afraid of the Wrong Things
by Barry Glassner (Basic Books, Rev. Ed. 2010)
The intended audience for this book is readers ages 16 and older. So, all you older young adults out there, give it a spin. See what you think. You, too, adult people. You'll discover that some (maybe a great deal) of what folks fear is completely or largely groundless and distorted beyond all reasonableness or proportion.
My fears? Running out of canned tuna-in-oil. That's a true and genuine fear, let moi assure you.
Don't Let Fear Ruin Your Dinner,
Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Readers' Advisory News Beat
P.S. Instead of fear, try out "F.E.A.R.," by Ian Brown. The song was the first single released from Brown's album, Music of the Spheres (2001). Forget Everything And Remember.
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