Fear is the Cheapest Room in the House

Fear is the cheapest room in the house.
I would like to see you living in better conditions.

Hafiz trans. Daniel Ladinsky

I haven’t really got anything to be afraid of. I’m not sure though, whether some fear isn’t endemic. Like when things are made safer, people just put themselves into more danger. Even when there is nothing really to fear, people can magnify the remaining risks into fears.

I’m a suffer of ophidiophobia - a fear of snakes. I don’t even like to look at pictures of them, and I’m not keen on having to write the word.

Fortunately for me, I live in England where the chances of bumping into a serpent, are let’s say, slim. I have been to more snake-filled countries, but I haven’t had the misfortune to bump into one. Which is just as well.

You know you can get those little bottles of vodka that have very small (dead) snakes inside? Someone once through one onto my lap, whereupon I froze in panic. I couldn’t bring myself to touch it to move it, but I also couldn’t cope with just leaving it there.

Even though I know that this fear is irrational, I secretly feel that it’s perfectly normal. After all, snakes are deadly creatures out to get me, aren’t they?

Since, despite all evidence to the contrary it seems normal to me to be afraid of snakes, I’ve actually got no intention of trying to get over this fear. I’m not so bothered by the way it restricts me on occasion, as there seem to be few benefits to overcoming my fear. Maybe I am living in the cheapest room in the house - but at least it’s snake free.

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January 1, 2008 | Filed Under emotions and values 

Comments

4 Responses to “Fear is the Cheapest Room in the House”

  1. the chaplain on January 2nd, 2008 11:07 pm

    I hate snakes too. I’m sure there’s nothing irrational about it. :)

  2. plonkee on January 3rd, 2008 12:16 pm

    Good to see that I’m not the only one who thinks so.

  3. Richard on January 6th, 2008 3:41 pm

    Snakes are not out to get you, like any wild creature, if they are backed into a corner or you make a sudden movement then they will strike. They will be frightened of you as much as you are of them. If you were backed into a corner then you would also defend yourself.

  4. plonkee on January 6th, 2008 4:54 pm

    With the rational part of my mind, I know that you’re right. When I consider snakes, I’m not usually think rationally, unfortunately.

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