Latest news with #fear
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
In a Word...Phobia
There is, let's face it, a phobia for every occasion. Whatever you're having yourself. Indeed, it is no longer acceptable to have a merely conventional phobia, such as claustrophobia (fear of small spaces), agoraphobia (fear of open spaces), arachnophobia (fear of the humble spider), or even aerophobia/aviophobia (fear of flying). Regarding the latter, I know a man who is terrified of flying and, having medicated himself well with brandy at a Paris airport, boarded his plane for Canada and ended up sitting beside an attractive and relaxed psychiatrist on her way to a conference in Toronto. They chatted for a while, she about her husband and kids while the brandy inside him wrestled fiercely with terror, something his pride also struggled mightily to control. READ MORE Eventually, she decided to sleep and offered him a book she had finished reading and recommended, highly. It was Alive, about a young Uruguayan rugby team, 16 (out of 45) of whom survived an air crash in the remote Andes after a two-month struggle which included cannibalism involving dead comrades. He, discreetly, slipped it behind magazines on the back of the seat before him. The same man could never be accused of caligynephobia (fear of beautiful women) nor, certainly at that moment, of somniphobia (fear of falling asleep). And though he was clean-shaven, he certainly does not suffer from pogonophobia (fear of beards) as he is known to sport facial hair occasionally. But it does get ridiculous. I mean, phobophobia (fear of phobias). Really? Seriously? Or Xanthophobia (fear of the colour yellow) – there goes half the Ukrainian flag – or omphalophobia (fear of belly buttons), not to mention dextrophobia (fear of things to one's right). Come on. But no dancing either. Chorophobia is a fear of dancing, while nostophobia is a fear of returning home, presumably after the dance when there'd be some explaining to do, surely. We just won't talk about arachibutyrophobia (fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth. I can think of little else!), though, I must confess, to occasionally suffering from hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia (fear of long words). Confronted with the Welsh placename Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, how else is the average person to react? But one phobia I freely confess to is nomophobia (fear of being without my mobile phone). Terror stalks there. Phobia , from Greek phobos for `fear, panic, terror'.' inaword@
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
My grandparents raised me and parented with fear. I tried to do things differently, but the result was the same.
My grandparents raised me, and they used fear as a parenting tactic. They thought it would make me safer, but it created anxiety. I vowed to do things differently as a parent, but my son recently told me the result was the same. My grandparents raised me, and they weren't around much. I was often without adult supervision, and in an effort to protect me, they injected a healthy dose of fear into their parenting. And though it did instill both discernment and resilience, it also created anxiety. While the origins of many of the stories that scared me didn't come directly from them, they perpetuated the myth and often added to it. I remember, at the age of 8, watching a movie as a family about the slow fallout of a nuclear war. No discussions followed the movie, no attempts to assuage my fears, even when I told them about the nightmares that came in the weeks after. The things my grandparents warned me about often became a recurring theme of my childhood nightmares. Though their intentions were good, telling them about my fear just seemed to solidify their commitment to parenting me this way. I wanted to parent differently Before I became a parent myself, I talked with my grandparents about my upbringing. They told me they had figured I was better off scared than dead. I reminded them of all the ways my anxiety manifested with the chronic nightmares and fears around everything from death to nuclear war, but they offered no apologies. I knew I wanted to parent differently. At 30, I had a son. Over the next eight years, I had three more kids. Rather than pull scary tales from the daily news or the town rumor mill, I kept them sheltered. When they asked about issues I thought could be frightening, I tried to explain in a way that was both direct and sensitive. Sometimes, the overwhelming anxiety I struggled with made it difficult, though I don't think I knew it at the time. I learned that my son dealt with similar anxieties Retrospection can be difficult as a parent. It often provides an overarching, distanced perspective we don't have when our children are little. Maybe this was why I was caught off guard when my 20-year-old son came over to have dinner one night and announced, "I'm afraid of everything." When I asked what "everything" included, he delivered a list as long as my own. It included driving, fire, water, and a million other things. "You passed all the fear from when you grew up to me," he said. Though I had aimed to raise my children differently from how my grandparents parented me, we had seemingly achieved a similar result. I, too, had created fear, which morphed into anxiety. My son carried it into adulthood just as I had. As we said our goodbyes, I thought back to my early years as a parent. I told my kids to be careful with electricity. "Don't plug that in," I heard myself saying from almost two decades prior, "you might get shocked or start a fire." At the beach, warnings were issued about swimming too far out without adult supervision. "You told us never to swim alone," my son said, "and I remember swimming with friends and searching for an adult. At 13, it became embarrassing." The truth hurt, but it wasn't all bad Looking back at how I'd parented in contrast to my intention was eye-opening. I didn't even realize I had anxiety until my 40s. I assumed everyone lived the way that I did — in a perpetual state of fear. "I didn't know," I told my son. Then, I did what I've always done when I make a mistake: I told him I was sorry. He told me it was OK, before adding, "It is probably part of the reason I made it to adulthood." While I was truly grateful for his forgiveness and understanding, I knew I needed to start doing things differently with my youngest two children, now 14 and 12. I've gone to therapy and also realized the value of taking medication to control my anxiety. What I am trying to do now is instill confidence in my kids. My fears oozed onto everything I did and affected the way I parented. I suppose, like my grandparents, I was just doing my best to make sure my kids were safe. Read the original article on Business Insider Solve the daily Crossword
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
LA archdiocese to deliver food and medication to parishioners homebound due to Ice raids
The archdiocese of Los Angeles is launching a new initiative to provide essentials such as hot meals, groceries and prescription medications to people and families too afraid to leave their homes due to immigration raids. The move to support immigrant parishioners experiencing heightened fear amid a nationwide crackdown by the Trump administration that has seen tens of thousands of arrests and outraged civil liberties groups. 'This is a challenging moment for our community,' Archbishop José H Gómez said in a statement. 'Many of our friends and family, our neighbors and fellow parishioners, are afraid and anxious. These are good, hard-working men and women, people of faith, people who have been in this country for a long time and are making important contributions to our economy.' 'Now they are afraid to go to work or be seen in public for fear that they will get arrested and be deported. This new archdiocesan fund is designed to help our brothers and sisters in this difficult moment,' Gomez said. The newly created Family Assistance Program, supported entirely by donations, will work through the archdiocese's 288 parishes across Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties to assist parishioners in need. Contributions can be made on the website or at any parish, with funds directed toward communities identified as especially at risk. Many donors have already stepped forward: the businessman and former mayoral candidate Rick Caruso gave $50,000 and pledged to match an additional $50,000. The Catholic Association for Latino Leadership added $10,000, and Vallarta Supermarkets contributed another $10,000 in the form of gift cards. According to an archdiocese spokesperson, Yannina Diaz, many churches are reactivating or expanding delivery systems that were built during the Covid-19 pandemic to reach homebound and elderly members. 'We're tapping into what already exists and what already works,' Diaz told the Los Angeles Times. Since June, Ice has arrested nearly 3,000 people in Los Angeles. Many of those detained had no criminal history, and some included citizens or lawful residents who were mistakenly apprehended. Sign up to This Week in Trumpland A deep dive into the policies, controversies and oddities surrounding the Trump administration after newsletter promotion Given the large number of immigrants within the Catholic community in the greater Los Angeles area, the archdiocese is feeling the brunt of the enforcement efforts. Nationally, 30% of foreign-born Christians in the US identify as Catholic, according to Pew Research Center data, the largest share among Christian denominations. In Los Angeles, 28% of all Christians are Catholic, making it by far the most popular religion. The archdiocese's announcement comes about two weeks after Alberto Rojas, the San Bernardino bishop who leads more than 1.5 million Catholics in southern California, has formally excused parishioners from their weekly obligation to attend mass following immigration detentions on two parish properties in the diocese.
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
LA archdiocese to deliver food and medication to parishioners homebound due to Ice raids
The archdiocese of Los Angeles is launching a new initiative to provide essentials such as hot meals, groceries, and prescription medications to people and families too afraid to leave their homes due to immigration raids. The move to support immigrant parishioners experiencing heightened fear amid a nationwide crackdown by the Trump administration that has seen tens of thousands of arrests and outraged civil liberties groups. 'This is a challenging moment for our community,' Archbishop José H Gómez said in a statement. 'Many of our friends and family, our neighbors and fellow parishioners, are afraid and anxious. These are good, hard-working men and women, people of faith, people who have been in this country for a long time and are making important contributions to our economy.' 'Now they are afraid to go to work or be seen in public for fear that they will get arrested and be deported. This new archdiocesan fund is designed to help our brothers and sisters in this difficult moment,' Gomez said. The newly created Family Assistance Program, supported entirely by donations, will work through the archdiocese's 288 parishes across Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties to assist parishioners in need. Contributions can be made on the website or at any parish, with funds directed toward communities identified as especially at risk. Many donors have already stepped forward: businessman and former mayoral candidate Rick Caruso gave $50,000 and pledged to match an additional $50,000. The Catholic Association for Latino Leadership added $10,000, and Vallarta Supermarkets contributed another $10,000 in the form of gift cards. According to archdiocese spokesperson Yannina Diaz, many churches are reactivating or expanding delivery systems that were built during the Covid-19 pandemic to reach homebound and elderly members. 'We're tapping into what already exists and what already works,' Diaz told the Los Angeles Times. Since June, Ice has arrested nearly 3,000 people in Los Angeles. Many of those detained had no criminal history, and some included citizens or lawful residents who were mistakenly apprehended. Sign up to This Week in Trumpland A deep dive into the policies, controversies and oddities surrounding the Trump administration after newsletter promotion Given the large number of immigrants within the Catholic community in the greater Los Angeles area, the archdiocese is feeling the brunt of the enforcement efforts. Nationally, 30% of foreign-born Christians in the US identify as Catholic, according to Pew Research Center data, the largest share among Christian denominations. In Los Angeles, 28% of all Christians are Catholic, making it by far the most popular religion. The archdiocese's announcement comes about two weeks after Alberto Rojas, the San Bernardino bishop who leads more than 1.5 million Catholics in southern California, has formally excused parishioners from their weekly obligation to attend mass following immigration detentions on two parish properties in the diocese.
Forbes
7 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Overcoming Fear: Lessons For Business Leaders From A Toddler's Bravery
Jason Richmond, Founder and Chief Culture Officer of Ideal Outcomes, Inc. Author of Culture Ignited: 5 Disciplines for Adaptive Leadership. Fear—of failure, rejection or uncertainty—can paralyze even the most seasoned leaders. Yet, overcoming it is essential for taking risks that drive innovation and success. A recent story on TV reminded me of this. Late one night, a 78-year-old great-grandmother tripped and fell walking into the house, hitting her head on a concrete step. She couldn't get up, and she'd left her phone in the car. She was with her 3-year-old great-grandson, and the best solution was for him to retrieve the phone in the dark. Security footage captured what happened next. He made his way to the car, repeatedly saying out loud to himself, 'Don't be afraid. Don't be afraid.' He opened the car door, clambered inside, got the phone and enabled his grandmother to call for help. Watching the footage on TV and admiring the little boy's bravery got me thinking about what business leaders could learn from his example. Identify your fears. The first step to overcoming fear is to confront it directly. A PwC Global Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey found that 44% of workers struggle to understand the need for workplace changes. This can amplify fears of instability. For executives, pinpointing specific anxieties—whether it's fear of technological disruption, economic downturns or personal failure—is critical. To do this, set aside 30 minutes to write down specific fears, such as, 'I'm afraid of launching a product that fails.' Research trends in your industry through reputable reports to contextualize these anxieties and help prepare actionable responses. Seek feedback from trusted colleagues or mentors to help uncover overlooked areas in decision making where fear might creep in. Embrace uncertainty as opportunity. The little boy faced a dark, unfamiliar path and moved forward, nevertheless. In business, fear of the unknown can stifle progress. Instead, I suggest leaders view uncertainty as a catalyst for innovation. As Eckhart Tolle, spiritual teacher and bestselling author, said, 'When you become comfortable with uncertainty, infinite possibilities open up in your life. It means fear is no longer a dominant factor in what you do and no longer prevents you from taking action to initiate change.' To embrace uncertainty, consider launching experimental initiatives by allocating a 'moonshot budget,' such as 10% of R&D, for high-risk, high-reward projects, such as Google encouraging employees to spend 10% of their time on innovation. Start with a pilot project to test a bold idea in a controlled setting. Recognize and applaud teams for bold experiments, even if they fail, to normalize risk-taking. Reframe fear as a catalyst. The presence of fear means you're pushing your limits, and that's where growth happens. Regard it as a sign you're on the right track. To reframe fear, ask, 'What opportunity does this fear signal?' For instance, fear of a new market entry might indicate a chance to capture untapped demand. Visualizing a positive outcome can help reduce anxiety and boost confidence. Build momentum by keeping a 'success log' of times you overcame fear, such as a winning pitch or negotiation, and review it before making high-stakes decisions. Lead by example. Leaders set the tone through their actions. Being transparent and vulnerable can inspire others. Sharing personal stories of overcoming fears, like tackling a tough merger or facing a potentially contentious media interview, can motivate teams. In team meetings, a brief story about a fear you faced and overcame, such as, 'I was terrified of presenting to the board, but preparation and feedback helped me succeed,' can resonate deeply. Model accountability by announcing bold initiatives in a company-wide email or town hall and providing quarterly updates. Explain decision making aloud, such as 'I'm nervous about this pivot, but here's why I think it's worth the risk.' It's a way to demonstrate courageous decision making. Build a fear-facing support system. Executives need allies to bolster courage. It's essential to surround yourself with people who push you past fear—not feed it. Identify three to five trusted advisors—peers, mentors or coaches—who challenge fears constructively and schedule monthly check-ins to discuss important decisions with them. Consider participating in executive networks like Young Presidents' Organization (YPO) or Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) to get the benefit of sharing fears and solutions with peers facing similar challenges. Take small, fear-defying steps. Start with low-stakes risks. This helps you desensitize fear and build confidence for larger undertakings. Piloting a new process in one department, such as testing a new customer relationship management (CRM) tool with a single team, can help you gauge impact before scaling company-wide. Committing to the '1% rule'—improving one small aspect of a feared task daily, like practicing one minute of a speech if public speaking scares you—builds progress. Acknowledging incremental progress, such as completing a pilot project, with team shout-outs or small rewards reinforces momentum. Develop a culture of courage. Leaders can cultivate courage by displaying vulnerability. Brené Brown, University of Houston professor, motivational speaker and author of numerous bestsellers, is often credited with saying: 'Courage is contagious. A critical mass of brave leaders is the foundation of an intentionally courageous culture. Every time we are brave with our lives, we make the people around us a little braver and our organizations bolder and stronger.' Build psychological safety by holding monthly 'ask me anything' sessions where employees can voice concerns or ideas anonymously. Equip teams to handle challenges by partnering with HR to provide training on managing fear and uncertainty, incorporating techniques like mindfulness or cognitive behavioral therapy. Encourage a culture of openness by creating a 'Speak Up' program to recognize employees for sharing bold ideas or constructive criticism. In the end, leadership is all about moving forward despite fear. The path to innovation, resilience and growth requires stepping into the unknown, admitting vulnerability and surrounding ourselves with support. Whether you're launching a bold initiative or navigating a crisis, remember that fear is not your enemy. It's a signal that something meaningful is at stake. Acknowledge the fear, take the step and inspire others to do the same. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. 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