A New Year

Was it really fifteen years ago that many folks were on the edge of their new-year's seat waiting, waiting, waiting for the much anticipated Y2K?  Have fifteen years really gone by?  All without the crashing of banking systems, personal computers and public utilities? Yes, somehow we made it! The awful did not happen. The fear did not become reality.

It was much like the beloved folk tale "Chicken Little" where the sky was predicted to fall.  We human beings tend to resemble that frenzied fowl on more occasions that we'd like to admit.  When we begin running around like a chicken sans head, it's almost always motivated by fear.  FEAR. That four letter word that often runs amuck in and with our lives.

As we begin a new year, there might be merit in looking into this life-altering emotion.  I recently read a piece of graffiti that said, "Change your life. Give up fear. Choose love.” If you decide to ponder this food for thought, there are library resources to support your interest and efforts. Here are but a few to check out:

Fear: Essential Wisdom For Getting Through the Storm by Thich Nhat Hanh
In the Face of Fear: Buddhist Wisdom for Changing Times edited by Barry Boyce
Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear by Max Lucado
Conquering Fear: Living Boldly in an Uncertain World by Kushner

Kathleen Ahern
Children's Librarian