Fear.

I'd like to know what it is in us that determines what we are afraid of, and why. Being afraid is one of those truly universal conditions. Everyone intuitively understands what the emotion of fear is and everyone lives it at one moment or another.

I'd like to define fear as two different kinds; physical and emotional. Physical fear being those of actual things. Spiders. Snakes. Heights. Things that pose and represent real danger. I think it's easily understood why people have such fears. No one wants to be bit by a spider, or fall 4 stories.

But, how do you actually describe the purpose of emotional fears? Fears of failure. Fear of death. Fear of judgement, or criticism. What purpose do those kinds of phobias actually serve?

I have a very real and sincere fear of dependence. I never want to be seen as having to rely on others, or of needing anything-- physical or emotional, from other people. The core of it is, of course, weakness. I don't want to be perceived as weak.

Which, makes life difficult for more. How can a person rationally expect to go through life without every needing from another? It's impossible. As are most other emotional fears. We'll all be judged at one point or another. We all die. We will all be criticized, at some point.

I can't do or say anything about the fear of death-- which, is probably also a universal phobia. But, with every other fear-- we most expose ourselves to that thing which we are most afraid of. Anxious people must go out and be around others. People with emotional barriers have to expose themselves and confide.

I must be more dependent on others. It is really the only way.