Back in 2021 a large EF4 tordnado struck Newnan. Countless homes were damaged and destroyed largely by falling trees. The scene was apocalyptic, and you can still see the scars today. Streets that were once shaded with mature oaks and pecans were instantly converted into full sun. Sun creates new opportunities for gardeners, and in the years following the tornado, I've seen lots more flowering annuals and perennials. But full-sun, or lack of shade, has its serious drawbacks.
Simply stated, a city or a street without large shade trees is a miserable place in the blazing sun of the Georgia summer.
I could go on and on about how much trees do for the environment, but we all know that... or at least we should. That isn't my purpose in writing this. My goal is to talk a little about how fear is infectious and how it can cause us to do destructive things.
After the big tornado people were understandably fearful. They had seen houses destroyed and even physical harm, though thankfully no fatalities. When big trees fall we all know how messy and expensive it is to clean it all up.
But that shouldn't justify the irrational fear that swept through neighborhoods around Newnan. People started cutting everything! Even trees that were hundreds of feet away from their houses. It was as if every tree was viewed as a possible missile or bomb. If a tree could conceivably hit one's house, it was removed. Of course, not everyone did this, but it definitely became "trendy" to cut big trees after the tornado.
Don't get me wrong, fear is a legitimate emotion that helps us survive and avoid dangers, yet so often it cripples and constrains our lives. It can quite literally destroy the goodness of life. A life with fear in hyperdrive is a life of pulling back, paranoia, and viewing everyone and everything with suspicion.
I struggle with fear, we all do! But let me be clear, there is no elimination of risk in this world. Life is full of unavoidable danger. I'm more likely to be killed driving to work than by a falling tree. Yet our society continues to build giant SUVs and trucks, even though they are known to be unnecessarily dangerous. We can't innoculate ourselves against danger and suffering, so why do we fear it so? Instead of letting it consume us, we should, I feel, embrace it as a normal truth of life.
My fears are mostly internal and revolved around possible illness- or specifically, the fear of organ/kidney failure and cancer. That's my Achilles heal, and on certain days it causes me to avoid doing the things I love. Yet I try to remind myself that my fears are largely self-inflicted and not based on reality. Even though something could theoretically be wrong with me, I want to make the best use of the life I have left. I know I'll never overcome these fears, but I know I can live with them and find ways to avoid going down these "black holes" of anxiety and hopelessness.
I feel we must name our fears and begin the process of addressing the root causes. Perhaps we are lonely or feel isolated from others. Too much time alone can cause us to ruminate and is simply unhealthy. When I feel "hung up" on negative thoughts, I find it helpful to take a walk. Talking with others also helps. I urge you all to find reasonably healthy ways to live with your fears while avoiding letting them rule your life. There is a balance.
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