Fear of the Dark !

I recall an incident from my childhood, I was scared of the dark. I would never enter a room at night if the lights were not ‘on’. This is the story of how I overcame my fear, and believe it or not, the answer was hidden in logic and long term thinking.

My uncle did not like the fact his nephew would never enter a room just because it was dark, and he taught me how not to be afraid of it.

The first thing he asked me was why I was scared of the room when its dark and not when lights are turned on, my answer was very simple, “There are ghosts is the dark, they go away as soon as the lights are switched on.” He then asked me, “What if there was a boy from the neighborhood who wanted to hurt you or fight with you? Would you still be scared?” I thought for a moment and said “No” I was not afraid of any boy.

Uncle: What do you think a ghost will do to you?

Me: It will kill me. I cannot fight a ghost.

Uncle (with a smile): So what will you become when the ghost kills you?

Me: A ghost.

Uncle: So, when you are a ghost too, what will you do to the ghost who killed you?

And suddenly it dawned upon me, it will then be a fight of equals, I could do that. I would thrash the stupid ghost for eternity.

I remember then going into dark rooms every day for the next few weeks thinking and warning the ghosts of the room, that if they kill me, I would become a ghost too and then no one will be able to save them from me. It worked like a miracle, it gave me the courage I needed.

Simple logic and a little forward thinking is the answer to fight all our fears. Remember fear does not exist anywhere except in your head.