(Some observers of today’s socio-political climate have commented that our fears are being cultivated by those who seek political domination. The antidote is obvious. Refuse to fear those who are different, or in Biblical terms, “Love your enemy as yourself.” The poet Edwin Markham encouraged us to be unafraid when he wrote:
He drew a circle that shut me out-
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle and took him In!
Dr. Frank Crane tells us, in so many word, “Be not afraid…..”)
THE CREED OF THE UNAFRAID
Whoever He may be who sits in the Heavens and rules the universe, I shall not be afraid of Him. And if it be but a force, it shall not frighten me.
Whoever created my soul intended for me to live my life. Sickness may come to me; it can destroy all of me but not my courage.
I shall not be afraid to love to trust wholly.
I shall not fear my passions but learn to drive them like thoroughbreds.
I shall not be timid on account of my weaknesses, but learn to guard against them.
I shall make friends with Destiny, and adjust myself to events. No man shall cow me. I have a right top standing room on earth.
I shall not falter to look any human being in the face. I believe that ghosts become harmless natural objects when one walks up to them; hence if anything causes me fear I shall examine it and try to understand it.
I shall exercise due caution but shall not be afraid of my food, of microbes, of disease, nor accidents. Against all of these I am best prepared by a clear, fool mind.
I shall not be afraid that I cannot sleep.
I shall stubbornly shut my mind against all morbidity, such as suggestions of failure, insanity and suicide.
I shall treat with contempt all superstitions, warnings, and premonitions, fortune telling, prophecies, and all like humbuggery.
Is shall not fear on account of my past. The consequences of my errors I shall take like a man.
Knowing that death is due to mortals at any moment, I shall live for it now and at all times, it shall find me unafraid.