Wow, you guys are just making my day! Excellent, eloquent, and rational!
OMJ, your philosophies are becoming even sharper!
And everything you said, Dawn, made total sense!
I agree that fear is necessary. It helps us stay in the game of life (don't step off into that gorge!!
) And IMO it is the resistance that helps build up the muscles of mastery. Like Jaime has said, "It isn't brave if you aren't afraid." Bravery is probably more the goal than eradication of fear. Or like you said, OMJ, narrowing or removing irrational fears.
When I think of my life, I feel happier when I have been brave and faced my fears. I feel freer. And that's another important thing, I think...freedom from fear. Like dark and light, fear will always exist perhaps, it just won't be given reign.
Yes, I think that is it (for me right now anyway), that fear cannot be eradicated and should not be. It must be lived with but cannot be allowed to rule. Kinda like germs. They have always existed and will always (they are the micro in our world as we are the micro in something else's world I reckon). We have to live in harmony with them, not eradicate them and not let them reign. Balance.
Do you fear germs? Anyone?
