Fear, The Mind Killer

I was looking through Instagram in the early hours of this morning. I saw a picture of a well know but very angry man. Grimaced lips, staring eyes and pointing a finger of judgement towards the camera. Then a word leapt out at me: fear. Then I remembered a quote from a movie I was looking forward to see this year, but because of Covid has been pushed back to next year.

“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” Paul Atreides-Dune

Fear has been a close and cold friend over this year. Governments, viruses and economies all set adrift on its negative bias. Its very easy to sit and submit under its gaze, but somehow personally apart of the base level to keep a person safe, I always dust myself off and try again.

Now, as they announce results from vaccines being tested we can see a little bit of light at the end of this grim scenario. Fear is indeed the mind killer in my ideals. Outside of sense, it forces people to do base things at best and atrocities at worst.

As I go into Trans Awareness Week, I know fear better than most. Mostly for just being who I am. However, many of those before me defied archaic laws and stood in their own morality as valid human beings. I have a strong feeling that fear is not a block that is impenetrable, but just another wall that can and will be broken.

Be it your own goals, intentions or quests. Not only do I believe I can help you with it, but ultimately get you closer to your best self. After all…

Wouldn’t you rather
Live from the heart?
A life that will matter
To be lived from the start

-Wouldn’t You Rather, Alter Bridge

Until next time, #embraceinfinity folks.

Aquila Hope is a transformative coach, black trans activist, speaker, podcaster and songwriter. They’re found through Instagram, Twitter, Medium and their own website. Their podcast ‘Grasp At The Root’ can be found on Anchor, Spotify, Google Podcast, Apple Podcasts or wherever podcasts are distributed. Aquila lives on the outskirts of Birmingham, enjoys self improvement, creating music, good coffee and pizza.