Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

To Live What I Believe Without Fear

trusting and living

 

I saw this on Instagram. 

A lot of things I do not do but maybe would like to are not based on fear. Most have to do with not having the talent, nor wanting to put my resource towards it. Fear is not often the reason I do not do something unless it is something like parachuting or bungee cord jumping.

And you?

After reading the rest of the Instagram post I saw that the author was directing the quote towards those who did not, or those of us who do not, respond when something is going very wrong. Such as the case of George Floyd. Why didn't I jump in and tell the police officer to step back? I am saying it this way because I wonder if I was there watching this horrific scene unfold if I would have done something to stop it or not? If I did not do something to stop it would my reasoning have been out of fear?

Would I have been capable of doing anything, other than standing by with my hand over my mouth?

If I had done something would I have been arrested too with a knee on my neck?

Would I have not wanted to get involved, and walked on by?

Would I have thought, it cannot be what it looks like – figuring it can't be bad as it seems?

Would my response be out of fear?

Would I have been afraid?

 

What can I do now and tomorrow to bring change, to shower in love, to give without counting the cost? To follow a path or to blaze a path before me that leads to helping others when I am afraid?

 

The first step is to take a step.

 

There are two homeless men who live under a bridge not far from my mother's home. I see them every now and then walking to and from the town which is about a mile or so away. I have thought to take them food, or water. But have not out of fear that if I do they might come to my mother's house when I am not here. I would not want to put her at risk. The police have visited them, but I do not know what happened. Are they dangerous? I do not believe they are. Homeless yes other than that I do not know their story. How shameful I feel admitting this.

 

Fear. It is a terrible thing to face. But I must.

 

 

 

facing truth

(Thank you Dixie for posting this image on FB)

 

I pray to respond, to have courage, to be outraged.

In the words of Tony Robbins,

"Stop being afraid of what could go wrong, and start being excited about what could go right."

Comments

19 responses to “To Live What I Believe Without Fear”

  1. Julie

    Wow…some pretty deep thoughts. It’s easy to be scared. I have paranoid schizophrenia. So I’ve had more than my fair share of fears. Thank God I’m on medication or I wouldn’t be able to hold a job! Hang in there, Corey. The first step to correcting a problem is to acknowledge there is one. And it looks like you’ve done that. And you’ve got a really good heart. I’m sure you’ll take action!

    Reply
  2. Cynthia Thompson

    Beautiful! I have fight fear daily, but I’ve learned to “do it afraid”. By the grace it has really helped. Blessings to all.

    Reply
  3. Leslie in Oregon

    I am so glad you wrote this post, Corey. We all must find the courage and energy, and develop the knowledge, necessary to put our beliefs into action, in whatever ways we can, to fight for the most vulnerable among us. That is more imperative now than ever, if we want our planet to survive and to be a decent place for human beings to live. We are each other’s keepers.

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  4. Lil

    Maybe there’s a way to help those men under the bridge without letting them know it’s you. I tried to help a homeless woman near here and she refused every effort. I even bought her a cart so that she didn’t have to walk with all her stuff in a big plastic bag on her back and she said no thank you. So I give to the charity lunch room where she eats.

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  5. Chico Sue

    Knowing if one will have the courage to act when faced with a tragedy like the one the witnesses faced In Minneapolis, is one I too, think about when something like that occurs. I know for a fact, if I was black and in that crowd, I wouldn’t have had the courage to step forward because they knew what would be in store for them because of past experiences with the police and because of the horror that they were seeing transpire. I was impressed with the number of people who actually called for the police to listen to Floyd who was saying he couldn’t breathe. I would probably have been allowed to come forward because, as a white, fairly well-dressed old lady, I carry a certain amount of authority. But would I have done so? I don’t know.
    Several years ago, I was alone in a situation with a raggedy fellow who was in distress and which could have been deemed dangerous. After listening closely to what he was saying I reached out and offered him a kindness that could have proven fatal, but I followed my instincts (with great fear) and was able to walk safely away. I will never know if his distress was real, or if he would have done me harm, but I had to take a chance. I wouldn’t suggest that everybody take such a risk, but sometimes we are directed by a higher power.

    Reply
  6. jackie

    You would not have ended up with a knee on your neck because you are white. Racism is real in America. I have witnessed racism first hand on so many occasions. There is a tiny bubble of fear inside me that wiggles to the surface nearly every day. My brother’s wife is from Cameroon, in West Africa. Their children are black. My nephew is autistic. This is what is inside the bubble: If the police told him to stop he would most certainly argue with them, he probably would not stop. He would probably be killed. He would not be uncooperative because he is a bad kid, he would be uncooperative because his mind does not process things in a normal way. I live in such fear of this scenerio, I can see it happening so easily. I am so thankful for the advent of cell phones with camera’s, the heinous brutality is now available for everyone to witness. Maybe it will help things change.
    Regarding the homeless men. You say they have been in contact with the police. Ask the police if they can recommend a way to help them. Do they know if the men go to a certain shelter to shower, or a food kitchen? Maybe support them through an agency or service they trust and use. As a former social worker, I know many, many of the homeless in America are the mentally ill, who were formerly housed in institutions. Often, do not want to interact with anyone, especially if they are schizophrenic. I would not recommend interacting with them if you do not know them or their background.

    Reply
  7. joanna

    Benjamin Frankin did not say that quote,,,but it is a nice saying
    https://checkyourfact.com/2019/04/15/fact-check-facebook-ben-franklin-justice-served-unaffected-outraged/
    Facebook Post Credits Ben Franklin With This Quote On Justicecheckyourfact.com › 2019/04/15 › fact-check-faceboo…

    Reply
  8. French la Vie

    Often I pray for courage and grace, and I hear that in your voice when you say “do it afraid” I like that.

    Reply
  9. French la Vie

    Thank you you say it well and it helps xxx

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  10. French la Vie

    Thank you for your guidance and find out where they have their meals.

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  11. French la Vie

    I pray for the direction. xx

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  12. French la Vie

    Hi Jackie, I wasn’t speaking of me as singular person but more about those of us who were and weren’t there. I do not mean
    to belittle anyone of color by saying I would have a knee on my neck, but by saying that the threat of pain, evil and death
    are real. Seeing someone being murdered would make me very afraid and yet maybe by the grace of God I would respond differently.
    I am sorry if I offend you or anyone.
    Also, one of the homeless persons has a severe mental disorder. I will heed your advice thank you for it.
    xx

    Reply
  13. French la Vie

    Good to know I looked it up before posting the image and found it here
    https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/49575-justice-will-not-be-served-until-those-who-are-unaffected
    I will follow your link for my future quote check. thank you.

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  14. becky up a hill

    Agree.

    Reply
  15. jackie

    Oh Corey no! You did not offend me in any way. Not at all. I was just speaking very plainly about a sad truth, the truth of racism in America. You have never offended me in any way! Quite the contrary, you have been a kind, supportive, compassionate friend. I am so sorry it sounded like that. It is not what I meant at all. I am thankful for your presence in my life. I am sorry I did not write what I meant in a way that was more clear.
    xx
    j-

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  16. French la Vie

    Whew glad we go that solved and found out we are on the same page xx

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  17. joanna

    Yes Corey I did the same thing and did not read the comments While on a zoom chat with a book club
    A friend who has PHD and is a historian I mentioned that quote & He
    pointed me in the right direction, much to my chargin on Zoom in front of our group meeting…
    Yikes!
    I still like the quote and your post on courage we a can all use it. Social media a blessings and a curse.

    Reply
  18. jackie

    XO forever! (that’s how I sign everything I write to my kids:)

    Reply
  19. Marilyn

    Thank you, Corey! A good reminder for us all.

    Reply

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