Essay Question: Some people believe that fear and joy are two sides of the same coin. Where do you stand?

ANSWER

Some people believe that fear and joy are two sides of the same coin. Where do you stand?

Introduction

Emotions likely have a significant impact on how people think and act. The feelings we experience daily significantly impact our actions and how we treat each other. I believe that as much as fear and joy are different, they are also similar in that they are emotional and impact our way of thinking, reasoning and acting. When one has joy, the mind is free of fear or anything that can be of worry to him/her/ On the other hand, when one has fear, he is afraid of what is likely to happen to him or someone else. It appears that the opposites of fear are joy since the two are varying emotions that humans can possess.

Many people possess fear which makes them not have the joy they deserve.  The fear may include fear of past illnesses with all the pain and anxiety or fear of physical danger such as encountering robbers in the dark.  Due to fear, one reacts differently, where he/ she could get worried, panic or have conditioned responses, since the brain is designed to respond instinctually to protect itself.  On the other hand, when someone has joy, he/she reacts differently since it is an excellent feeling in the mind. Joy entails feeling happy or excited about some news, being with a person one loves, and having peace of mind (Smith, 2013). With joy, someone may likely possess fear, which happens when one is sad or anxious about something. Joy is a thought which sustains a particular pleasure that someone may wish to have.  It may result from one flattering with you, achieving something, sexual fun and many more life experiences.  Therefore, for one to possess joy, then he/ she must be willing to be free of fear since the two are somehow interrelated.

One cannot be free of fear. This is since fear is a constant companion, which is consciously or unconsciously.  Hence, there is a need for one to be aware of his/her fears to have joy. This is since one’s mind can’t be entirely free of this burden (Walker, 2012).  A mind that has been conditioned in the culture of fear greatly struggles to find joy since one is continually afraid of what is likely to happen.  Fear is generated mainly by a problem, especially if it is not soluble (Walker, 2012). Overcoming such fear can help one become more joyous and happy throughout his/her life.  Many people, however, choose not to be optimistic over having a fear of many strange things.  As a result, they stay in sadness and grief over something that they did not choose.

Conclusion

Hence, people need to fear mediocrity, complacency, and banality and choose to live in more joyous ways. This choice would mean that they fear negative things, which will help them be more positive and ultimately have joy in their lives.  People need to realize that they can actively live their intellectual and emotional energy and choose to be happy, which will help them live their lives more positively.

References

Smith, Z. (2013). “Joy”. Borough of Manhattan Community College City University of New York English Department.

Walker, K. T. (2012). “What Fear Can Teach Us”1. Borough of Manhattan Community College City University of New York English Department.