Sunday, August 24, 2008

Fiftyfifth


Snakes. We imagine them under our beds or in the grass, and we're frightened or fascinated with them because we know some are good and some are bad. The bad ones, if in a safe environment like a glass cage, we think are so cool and we'll go right up next to it. If some says they're a snake handler we'll believe them because they're wearing a uniform and when they say it's okay to pet the snake, we most often do, at least a little.

There have been movies made about snakes, often about giant boas that are so wicked and deadly, or these little guys who are so venomous that if they so much as wink at you the wrong way you're dead.

We make movies of things we're afraid of, in a way to help conquer our fear of them, but does it help or does it make our fears worse? There are probably people that fit into either category and I wonder how each person would react if they were ever to come face to face with that which they fear.

There are probably people who like the rush of facing their fears and so seek those fears out. But what happens when they run out of fears to chase after? This might not happen for a while because it would take time to conquer each fear, in fact someone might be able to go their whole lives without having run out of fears, so then would it be worth it in the end?

My guess is that you come out a better person if you face fears that are more like public speaking or committing to a relationship, rather than a fear of burnt toast or spilled milk or ruined breakfasts.

So then, snakes. Does facing a fear that might kill you improve yourself or do you just end up in a coffin six feet under with a tombstone that reads "Here lies Dave Huston. He died because he tried giving a boa constrictor a pink belly" ? Not that I'm afraid of boas, but just for example. And not that your tombstone would read "Here lies Dave Huston" if it did... well that would be sad.

Okay so here's today's WOTD:

Contretemps - (n) an inopportune or embarrassing occurrence

Today's haiku of the day:

Snow blankets my house
Permission to stay indoors
Sip hot chocolate.

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