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Which is Worse: Terrorists or Fear of Terrorists?
Since 9/11, three years ago, many people are still afraid to fly in airplanes, visit New York or work in tall buildings. Many Americans are afraid of anyone who comes from the Middle East.
Just as fear of terrorism can affect a country, fear can hurt your success. Instead of working on your career or future, you get quiet or hide.
If you feel afraid, you make poor decisions. You fight the wrong targets. You feel confused.
Fears make you imagine the worse. You play little movies in your head that have nothing to do with your real life. Life seems dangerous.
Fear can also hurt your health. Your body is tense. You sleep poorly. You do not feel active.
Terrorism is a big fear, especially for many Americans. So where is the threat?
Personal Experience
Have you ever seen a terrorist? Not on the news, but with your own eyes?
If you walked in any direction from your home, how far would you have to walk before you were threatened by a terrorist? For most of us, it's a very long walk.
Have you lost money, peace of mind or personal freedom because of a terrorist? Or maybe people's FEAR of terrorism is the bigger problem.
Terrorist Purpose
The only thing terrorists want to do is scare you. That's why they're called terrorists!
Have you let terrorists achieve their purpose?
Another question: Who is helping terrorists with their mission? Who makes money or gains power from terrorism?
Chaos Merchants
L. Ron Hubbard invented a new term: Chaos (disorder, confusion) Merchants (sellers, promoters) to describe a serious problem we have in our society.
Anyone who profits from the suffering of others is a Chaos Merchant. Anyone who seeks to increase their popularity or power by making the world seem worse than it is is a Chaos Merchant.
"It is to their [the Chaos Merchants'] interest to make the environment seem as threatening as possible for only then can they profit."
"Look over a newspaper. Is there anything good on the front page? Rather there is murder and sudden death, disagreement and catastrophe. And even that, bad as it is, is sensationalized to make it seem worse." -- L. Ron Hubbard
Chaos Merchants include politicians, lawyers, arms dealers and most of all, news organizations.
Politicians feed on our fears. For example, a politician makes crime statistics seem bigger than anyone ever imagined. He promises to fight crime better than his opponent. He wins IF he scares enough people.
Weapons dealers also make huge profits by spreading chaos. For example, an arms dealer tells the leaders of one country, "That country over there has bombs pointed at you. You need to buy more bombs to point at them." Weapons dealers quietly make billions in profits.
Of course, newspapers, news magazines and television news also make big profits by spreading as much bad news as possible. The more terrifying the news, the more people will watch their television news or buy their papers and magazines.
News shows and newspaper executives say, "If it bleeds, it leads" meaning violent death or injury (blood) is the first story (the lead) for their news show or newspaper. The more vicious the crime, the more attention it receives, and the more money they make.
Terrorist Test Question
If you never watched television news or read articles about terrorist attacks, why would you be afraid of terrorists? Would you even know they existed?
More than 126,000 US citizens have died since 9/11/01 in traffic accidents--forty times more than died from terrorism. Are you more afraid of automobiles than you are of terrorists? Maybe you would be if car accidents lead the news each night.
Recommendations
To be a success, you must conquer your fears. If you feel anxious, afraid or nervous, you must make some changes to your life.
1. Stop believing Chaos Merchants. If you feel fear, notice who might have just sold you some chaos. Instead of believing them, look for yourself.
2. Stop reading about chaos in newspapers and news magazines. Consider cutting out all the news in your life. Instead, read an interesting book, do some work or have some fun.
3. When chaos is on television, watch something else. How does it help you or anyone to know about deaths, danger and catastrophes?
4. Avoid people who like to pass on disturbing "news."
Instead, spend time with people who like to pass on cheerful news.
5. After 7-10 days, notice how you feel.
If you are not sure if Chaos Merchants have any effect on you, do the above steps for 7-10 days. Then read about chaos in the newspapers and watch all the news. Listen to disturbing people for a few days. Notice how you feel now.
Benefits
Nearly everyone who breaks off all association with Chaos Merchants notices benefits like these.
* Life becomes more interesting and less dangerous.
* You eat better and sleep better.
* You laugh more easily.
* You feel healthier.
* You feel calmer.
For More Information
Buy ($4.75) or download (free) a copy of "The Way to Happiness" by L. Ron Hubbard. In his 21 recommendations for your happiness, you will read how you should decide on the truth of things by looking yourself (#17).
"The Way to Happiness" also has an interesting section (#10) about governments.
You can buy a copy at www.tipsforsuccess.org/way-to-happiness.htm or download a free copy at www.thepathwaytohappiness.com.
Provided by TipsForSuccess.org as a public service to introduce you to the technology of L. Ron Hubbard. Copyright © 2004 TipsForSuccess.org. All rights reserved. Grateful acknowledgment is made to L. Ron Hubbard Library for permission to reproduce selections from the copyrighted works of L. Ron Hubbard. You have permission to copy, print or post this article. Click here for details. To subscribe, buy books or learn more about TipsForSuccess.org, click here. |
