Panic
I don’t have much patience with people who panic, because panic is just uncontrolled fear; and fear can be controlled… once you understand it.
I can remember when we first saw action in Caprivi. We were young, not prepared to die and shit-scared. We thought we were cowards. Our platoon sergeant should have been a psychologist. He stated that dying for your country is bullshit; you have to make the enemy die for their country. That had the lot of us laughing and he instantly won our confidence.
He said that it’s normal to have fear and told us that he’s scared too but knowing and admitting to it, enables him to deal with it. He said that once we’ve “seen the elephant”, the cause for fear will become routine and we’d be able to deal with it. “But never deny that fear,” he added, “for that will get you killed very fast.”
And he was right. The first time under enemy fire it was terrifying but we got used to it eventually and it became routine. But it does not become routine by itself. You need plenty of exposure to it. And once you have conquered one fear, it becomes easier to conquer another.
I’m inclined to believe that any fear can me mastered with enough exposure to it.
The beauty of it all is that once you have learned how to handle your own fears, you recognize and respect – even admire – that ability in other people. Nothing can fascinate me more than seeing people performing well under hazardous conditions.
I dedicate this blog to all those people who work under dangerous conditions.
Have a glorius day out there.
Comments (25)
"We need to talk."
It happened so many times it is now routine. Why do you think I'm single at my age.
Right, you cannot fight it and you dare not deny or ignore it. But you can and must control it.
Just relax and keep up with it. It will become routine very soon and you will no longer need to fear it.
I don't think I am an easily-get-panic person. But I do have fears. The biggest one is someone force me bring out the monster of my star sign that I always try my best to keep deep deep inside.
So far, it's under control.
We all have fears but some of us deal with it better than others.
Ah, the monster in your star sign... well eh... eh... Just hit it on the nose to subdue it.
I literally had other people's lives in my hands and panic could have resulted in death(s). Stress did eventually take its toll.
I like drawing much better!
If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs...
You probably don't know what the hell's going on.
When somebody cannot overcome their fear it is probably because they are in denial. You have to face 'the elephant' whenever it approaches or you won't be able to control your fear. The sight of 'the elephant' must become routine.
So stress took its toll; you did not say whether the stress came from outside factors or not. I'm not sure what could be so stressful when working with high voltage that could affect lives other than your own. Maybe you got too used to electricity.
A few years ago an experienced electrician over here was electrocuted while on duty. No reason could be found for this mishap. He probably got so used to electricity that forgot about the dangers in it and then became negligent.
Yes, maybe sometimes but I'd say that it is more likely that the one who kept his wits while everybody else is in a panic, is the only one capable of making an accurate assessment of the situation.
Hi Catfoot
Do I detect a trace of sarcasm in your comment. I hope not. I don't know you like that.
That would be a major catastrophe and could lead to mass panic. You won't be alone.
Are they really less fortunate when they refuse to face the reason for their fear.? I don't think so. I compare it with a spoiled kid who refuses to taste some new food on his plate because he had prematurely decided that it must taste bad.
Or a guy like me who does not want to drink whisky because it tastes bad. Everybody tell me that you have to drink it a few times to acquire a taste for it, but I'm not interested. I don't like the taste of whisky.
I'm not really that full of nonsense. I also enjoy a sweet red or a dry white and the occasional cider. Sorry, I'm not that fond of beer either. Maybe one or two glasses on a very hot day. Even gin will do most the time.
then trust me!
That is right. Panic breeds more panic and confusion. And there is nothing more dangerous than a panicking gunman.