Thanks for your comment bulentok1. Fear is certainly there for a reason, but why NOT to master it? If there was no need to master anything, why have ambition, desire, or passion? Those, too, are there for a reason, are they not? If there was no need to master anything, why take up an education, why learn, why do anything?

In a way, fear is much like love - it can either debilitate you or empower you. Parents use a bit of fear to discipline their children, and religion also adopts similar practices - for if we are all God's children, then a little bit of fear inserts discipline (nothing wrong with that). But what makes the previous statement out-of-whack is when fear is used to abuse, control or manipulate (not by God, but by those who proclaim to be speaking for God). There must be balance in all things. Our Creator is certainly all-knowing, but even if He sometimes cannot predict the free-willed choices of His children.

A lot of lessons come in trying to master a thing, for if there is no struggle or adversity, what use is experience? Have wise men of the past not said, "Experience is the greatest teacher?"

Also, if one does not learn to master fear, then they show absolutely no Self-discipline - and that's my point. I'm not saying mastering of fear equals the absence of it - I'm trying to say that the will to master fear must include the courage to overcome it. If your child was being tortured or raped by a stranger, what would you do? Would you let fear of your own life being harmed in the same manner take hold of you, or let your courage to do what is right, and/or protect those you love, take over? Your mastery of fear will determine which path you decide to take in such a situation, and this is what I mean when I say "master your fears," because each of our fears are different.

Just remember, there is no right or wrong in this - merely opinions based on my own experiences.

Hey, that's awesome man! Hit me up on Facebook then - I'm always posting interesting stuff and love to discuss more than just your weekends ;) http://facebook.com/gsamuels

Hi Christian! Thanks so much for the reply :) I apologize for the somewhat late response (I'll have to check my email settings for comment notifications!).

I definitely feel you on the low energy sometimes. If there's anything I've learned about balance, it's that the opposing ends are there so that we can truly understand them on their own (for what is happiness without knowing sadness?) and together. The human race may be unique in that sense because we experience duality and relativity but, in my opinion, both are still necessary "illusions." It's when we start to see everything as separate, do we lose the ability to find 'oneness' or 'togetherness.' When I'm down, I usually remember to keep the faith and know that life has its ups and downs, ebbs and flows, like the tides of the ocean. As people who are Self-aware, we must always discern these feelings and know when to take be patient, and when to take action.

Finding your own way of getting out of that slump was awesome - glad you could use the music to regain that energy!

Thanks again for your comments and hope you enjoy future entries :)

thanks Brooke! If you have any tips for me, I\'m always open (and you can contact me on Facebook lol) ;)

Ursula - so great to hear from you! It has certainly been a while :) that conversation we had on TimberwolfHQ was certainly a penetrating one. I think I'll always remember it (in a good way). Thank you for taking the time to leave a message, and I sure hope you stop by more often (and be sure to join our Facebook page ;))!

Have you opened your own blog yet?

As they say, "Great minds think alike" but, then again, "fools seldom differ" lol.

we could continue the discussion on: http://www.disciplinism.com/2011/06/x-men-we-all-... if you'd like? Just currently porting this site to its appropriate URL.

That's great Kawasaki! It reminds me of a quote from Nelson Mandela, "I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear." I think that certainly rings true in your case, and I feel very much the same! Fear is present for a reason, but I think it is that acceptance or acknowledgement of fear that conquers it and, thus, shows great Self-discipline.

Thanks for sharing!

Thanks a bunch Banshee! I couldn't help myself. While I was watching the film, I was mentally taking notes of all the parts that gave me "goosebumps." I'm glad I wrote this article when I did, and I hope it sparks some thoughts in others! Which bit(s) of the film did you like the most?

Hi Kriza, thanks for the response! It's good that you got a daily ritual going on there - I'm a bit of a restless soul and admire those who keep up the routine. I aspire to that sort of discipline so, hopefully, one day, I'll be able to meditate in my own way, while keeping myself balanced.

As for the negatives, don't get too used to cutting off because there would be no positives if it weren't for negatives. See the light within the darkness as well - for that is where light can truly shine!