It is another beautiful day in western Pennsylvania. The sun is shining. Temperatures have been in the 80s (Fahrenheit) all week, though it's been getting cool enough at night that leaving the windows open during the night, then closing them during the day has kept the house at a comfortable temperature.
Lady Glynis and I have been extremely busy at the theatre due to being able to run the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie from opening day, rather than waiting 4 -6 six weeks as we usually do. I had some fears as we went into this movie since it is a first for us. Would enough people come to make it worthwhile? Would the film fit on our reels? Would all the equipment work? If we had a good response, would we be able to handle it? The answer to all these was a resounding yes (though this is the longest movie we can show on our equipment - I did sweat that one until the film was totally assembled).
In his Dune series, Frank Herbert has the Bene Gesserit recite a litany against fear -
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.
In Power in the Present (and the Presence) Nneka speaks about handling fear when speaking in public.
In Fear of Blogging, or What Bloggers Can Learn From Shakespeare Chris Garrett talks about fear in the context of blogging, fears that we all face at one time or another as we write. He begins the article with "Are your doubts holding you back? Do you feel like a fraud?". This feeling of being a fraud doesn't apply just to writing, but is common in almost all people who are stretching out of the box we have built for ourselves. Hear the thought, but also realize it is the voice of your small self that would keep you small.
In The Starbucker Redemption Starbucker looks at fear, and dealing with fear from another vantage. His post shows one of the reasons I love movies.
On a side note, Carolyn Manning's twelve-part series on black and white hat hackers and crackers at Productivity Goal is an interesting look at some of the hackers and crackers of the past twenty years.
To everyone who linked with Shards this week, thank you.
Hey Rick, thanks for the link, and I'm glad you are faring well at your theater this weekend. I'm also glad you related to my "redemption" post, especially because of our shared love of those types of movies. Enjoy the rest of the holiday- I know I will, it's my first real restful couple of days in about 6 months! All the best.
Hi Terry,
The Shawshank Redemption is one of my favorite movies. I don't think I'll ever forget the scene where Andy is beating a hole in the sewer pipe in time with the lightning so the noise won't be heard. It's a powerful image.
Have a relaxing Memorial Day!