Is Fear Helpful?

Or is there a better option?

4 min read

1 hour ago

Close-up of “alien” face, greenish tinge, large bulbous eyes — Photo by Leo_Visions on Unsplash

I recently watched a couple of documentaries on Netflix which included the subject of alien abductions.

I sit in my lounge chair, eyes open wider than usual as I absorb graphic depictions of prone people, in flimsy nighties or blue-striped pyjamas, rising from their beds and being whisked through the ceiling to an awaiting craft. These crafts emit green flashing lights and contain beings with bulbous black eyes that remind me of Prada Butterfly sunglasses.

My fingers grasp the cream leather chair as my jaw drops and my head starts pounding because my usually normal blood pressure is rising through the ceiling as well.

I am exhibiting classic signs of fear.

‘I don’t want to watch any more of these documentaries,’ I say to Rob. ‘They’re frightening me.’

Thankfully, he turns it off. As we head upstairs to bed I stick as close to him as possible, hoping his 74-year-old body is strong enough to drag my rising body back onto the bed should aliens arrive tonight with spooky intent.

I am frightening myself. I am filling myself with fear.

Is this fear a good thing? Is it useful? Will it save me from the thing I fear?