We often look back and reminisce those exhilarting thriller novels that captured our youthful imagination withtaut suspenseandhigh voltage action building up to tense surprise endings. The protagonistswould bea larger-than-life heroes battling their way through all odds, fighting foes with relentless grit and ironic humour. Among them, I easily recall Alistair Maclean’s 1961 classic ‘Fear is the Key’ that’s a fascinating revenge story with a twist and a book-title readinglike a ‘punchline’.
The story begins with a man in radio contact with his family (wife, son and his brother), when their airplane is suddenly attacked & shot down. Shattered, he wants to find and punish those responsible. He becomes a criminal to get a job as a deep-sea diverand joins the baddies in theirnefarious explorations. Playing a psychological game, he creates with ingenuity a ‘deadly’ situation outwitting them by using the terrifying‘fear’ factor. Aside of MacLean’s war novels, it’ssuperbly slick in the action-thriller genre !
‘Fear’ has a foreboding effect. From the earliest stages children learn to be obedient at home and schools ensure that discipline is maintained through reprimands, detention and punishment. In our time, errant pupils were even wallopedfor breaking rules or shamed in public& it worked. Now that physical ‘fear’ has become the psychological trauma ofnot enough grades in board examstoqualify for few seats, failing in entrance tests, huge parental expectations, peer pressures, social trolling. Theentire education system is facing its sternest test.
For those employed, unrealistic targetsare set andgoals hang like a sword over future promotions and placements. Underachievement may lead to sidelined postings and threats of job losses. Eternally the work-life balance is affected andan average worker is always under stress to deliver results, whether he works from home or office. There’s a lurking fear of the unexpected to happen and adapting to changes with alacrity and regularity is the order of the day !
Some grow up with psychological barriers against heights, water, confined spaces etc.We go through life’s vicissitudes encountering fears of failure, rejection,risks, financial insecurity, loss of loved ones and valued possessions. Insurance guys talk of mortality &fear of dying too early or dying too late. We must plan for both. Above all comes the fear of losing one’s freedom of expression & to give up the life one dreamtof !But when their fundamental rights feel stifled, people often shun fear & rebel against authority.
Motivational and spiritual leaders teach us means of overcoming fear through resolve and will power and to become ‘fearless’ in our approach to life. The best success stories tell of achievers who fought their inner demons tobecame legends. Newest example comes from 15-year ‘Vaibhav Suryavanshi’, Cricket’s batting prodigy & his dauntlessattitude to the game.Decades ago, Gurudev Tagore gave his vision for our great nation‘Where the Mind is without Fear..’. Let’s never forget -fortune favours the brave !
Working on Living 