There is a majestic railway bridge over the Danube, dating back to 1895, with two enormous soldier statues, seemingly guarding that arm of the river for centuries. Close to it, is a car bridge that one must cross to get to the next city. This bridge is modern, but perhaps not as sturdy.
As a child, I have heard countless stories of cars losing direction and driving off the bridge, straight into the river. In consequence, for every time I happened to drive over that bridge, alone in my car, I would follow a certain protocol.
First, I would turn off the music and half open my window. Second, I would keep my left hand on the wheel and my right hand over the gear shift. This way, if I were to lose control and plunge off the bridge, I would be able to quickly release the seat belt from the buckle, and open the window simultaneously.
All these should have theoretically allowed me to escape through the window before or after impact with water. Of course, there were also variables and principles of physics involved… but this was my guideline for crossing that bridge, and perhaps others.
It got better, in time.
I never understood why I was so afraid. Maybe because that bridge did not have any soldiers to protect it, or maybe because I was alone.
Why have a contingency plan for every little thing you do in life?
Fear, one of the primal instincts, just like hunger, strips away any joie de vivre. Fear has no opposing force, no counterbalance. Pure dread, and anguish – irrational.
I think the only worthy adversary could be peace. Possibly, once at peace, fear has no room for torment. It dissipates like darkness in a room where light shines through a small crack.
If nothing in this world could scare you or make you feel small, then perhaps, once at peace, you could feel free.
Isn’t it what we all want?
A body and a mind unhinged, untamed, incorruptible?
The only problem with fear is that it prevents you from experiencing life to the fullest.
I think peace might be the true power after all.