It is difficult not to fear, especially for children and grandchildren, when we have, in New York, a Governor and Mayor who do not care about protecting innocent citizens.

We’ve been through this before...

FDR’s words ring as true today as they did when first spoken.

We’ve been through this before...

I am usually pretty fearless. With the current situation my fear is not what’s happening now - but what will be ....

I fear my wife might be harmed if she goes out by herself. She has that fear too and hasn’t lately...even in daylight. Not the 24/7 city we chose to live in.

Although the world has changed it has always been both wonderous and dangerous. Context is decisive. We’ve had 15 pandemics since 1980 and have handled The Spanish Flu, The Plague, Zika, Sars, MERS, Polio, AIDA and Measles.
We have survived most recently through 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy. We are resilient, wise and adaptable. We shouldn’t fear things we can not control we should only fear our reaction or lack of action in the face of fear. Fear is just another form of “No”. If we look fear in the face and hit it head on it will be minimized and we can repurpose it’s fury with a power of purpose to harness its energy for what is good.

We can improve our present situation by bringing our future which remains bright, into the present. In business you have no choice except to be a leader and a voice or calm and reason in the face of fear.
Understanding that no (no restaurants, no meetings
, no entertainment and no hugs) is only temporary and we will confront and triumph once again.
Those that succeed will take this time to unclutter, provide charity, learn a new skill or take up a new hobby.
Therefore the only thing we have to fear is not moving forward and being the best version of our unique selves during this “Defining Moment” in time.

I can only look to those who have lived through seemingly impossible conditions to emerge with strength and resolve they did not know they had.

I approach things practically and try my best (except when absolutely necessary) to follow my grandpa Sol’s sage advice (imparted even before I started school): be calm and cool at all times.

Fear is a scare tactic. Make what you will of it. Your self defense will kick in and your "Spidey Sense" will go into overdrive if it is real. Just keep living and doing what you do best, with one eye open at all times. I look forward to a better future.

I’m with you!

Steve, so powerfully and beautifully said. Thank you for that caffeine jolt of hope and empowerment right into my veins. Fear and control are intertwined. We feel fear about what we cannot control, and often we can’t control what we fear. When I read your words, it reminded me to look to what I can control: myself, my choices, my actions and my point of view and mindset. That is actually quite a lot! It is a much more productive and empowering challenged to consider what I can do rather than what I can’t control and fear. thank you for highlighting this topic at a time when I, and many others, really need it. Xxoo

I think we have to channel the fear into anticipation and zeal for moving forward in a new and different way. For me, it's getting my techno challenged self used to video court conferences which are clearly going to be the norm in the future.

Great blog, Fred. Fear tried to paralyze me, but I realized sometime in mid-April, that it's up to me to take care of myself, those I love (my tribe) and do the very best I can. I cannot control anything outside of my own responses. If instinct instructs me in a certain direction, I need to honor it. Fear has its place, but not as a primary. My head remains level.

Moving forward with faith and hope can mitigate fear.
Fred and responders are inspirational!

I'm with you 100% Fear and hope cannot occupy the same space. We have an opportunity to create the future we want by acknowledging the darkness and turning towards the light.

Knowledge is power. Fear is the absence of knowledge . What’s around the corner ? Fear of the unknown . To a large degree fear envelops us because we don’t know what to expect behind that closed door . This is where Good training scenarios enter the mix . Become exposed to multiple scenarios repeatedly in real time real life training scenarios. ANTICIPATE. Avoid the suddenness of the surprise . Be ready at all times . Expect the adrenaline rush . Be trained in the art of functioning during an adrenaline rush. A racing pulse and a dry mouth . How to function in a confused state . Not losing control. Getting and keeping a grip on things when the fight or fllight kicks in . Maintaining control throughout the crisis at hand . Let the training kick in . Freeze your psyche . Focus . Control your pulse and breathing . Slow things down . Calm the chaos . Find the runway and land the damn plane . Proceed Hypnotically . Get into the Zen . BREATHE ! FOCUS !

Hollander Sends

9 times out of 10 the anticipation is worse than the reality...

As Mark Twain said: I’ve experienced some horrible things in my life, and some of them have actually even happened. (!!!)