Conquering ‘The Pits’
And Our Own Pendulums of Fear
by John Elliott Aka Oaky Wood ©2006
The famous horror movie “The
Pit and The Pendulum” starring Vincent Price,
which was written by Edgar Alan Poe, the definitive
and ultimate master of suspense and fear, with this
book and subsequent movie, took the concept of all
man’s fears, that which haunts his inner mind, and
expanded upon it, making the fear of fear itself the
most frightening element of the film, and not just
the awesomely created medieval swinging, and
menacing steel blade as it tick-tocked its gruesome
path towards the heroes chest. Nor the actual pit
with its jaw like appearance and jagged teeth of
metal, and the savage dogs waiting deep in the
chasm. Every fear was there, the fears of every man
and woman. With the leading man (Vincent Price)
fearing that he would be just like his father, only
through those fears that tormented him, in the end
he became that which he feared the most, because he
allowed that fear to engulf his every waking hour.
Oh how I empathize with those
who have journeyed into their own menacing,
"but different pits", I’ve been there
myself so many times in my 55 years on this mortal
plain. I've been a single parent now for over 10
years, and it wasn’t until the realization that my
marriage break up wasn’t “ALL MY FAULT”, that
I could eventually climb back up that stairway of
self esteem, and gain back those confidences that I
once enjoyed in my younger years.
The self-blame and loneliness
fears, all took their toll on me at the time.
Unfortunately I had no therapists to help and guide
me, so I had to find my own path through the
darkness and out of my pits, without the flickering
light of hope to help me succeed and conquer my own
deepest fears. Fear of getting into a relationship
again, and the fundamental mistrusting of others,
and being afraid to show love. Fear of failure
within myself, as that was how I perceived my own
existence. The basic fear of failing my children and
not being able to provide for their ever growing and
demanding needs. My Fear of everything known and yes
the fear of what’s to come, the unknown, even fear
of being afraid. But for my children's sake I
certainly had to shake this yolk that sat so heavily
on my weakened shoulders. Conquering fear was and is
no mean feat, as he always sits their waiting to
pounce, lurking in every dark recess of ones mind,
ever eager to jump out and point that dark finger
and give you that twang in your heart that keeps
screaming FAILED AGAIN. Yet I journeyed on, and
became stronger through it.
Now through my own new
strengths, I can begin to help others break down
those barriers, for once fear itself is conquered,
through openness and the sharing with others my own
torments, my inner most thoughts, and experiences of
life, then being afraid is no longer an issue, and
the dreaded "pits of fear and the razor sharp
pendulum" now holds no concepts that could ever
harm me, as all along these fears were only the
thoughts of an unhappy person, and had no real place
in my new realizations. The pendulum of time still
swings on, and after all is yet another fear, yes
the oldest fears, the fears of age and of growing
old, dying too young, and the fear of death itself.
As children we were told not to be afraid of the
dark, yet we still grow up with that dreaded fear
implanted in our subconscious minds.
Yet fear in certain
circumstances can be a good thing, as the actual
fear itself keeps our senses alert and it’s there
to form part of our natural survival instincts, as
being afraid heightens your perception of the world
around you. An antelope lives in fear of predators
every single day and night of its life, does it
suffer from stress, or stress related illnesses
through its fear, or does it simply live its own
life to the max, allowing that inner fear to keep it
alert as nature intended it.
Being afraid after a break up
in any relationship is the bodies natural defense
system kicking in, and the pit of despair can only
open if you let it, and the pendulum continues to
swing, as a symbol of time itself like the metronome
it really is.
Conquering or being in control of your own fears, is
emotionally demanding, yet can be achieved through
self-help or motivational groups, so do seek the
help you need early. Don’t leave it until fear is
in control, as you don’t have to fight this battle
alone as I did. Take control of your fears today and
be in a better position to govern your own future.
By
John Elliott
Aka Oaky Wood©2006
John Elliott Aka Oaky Wood is currently the Co-Founder of
"The Corner 4 Women©2006" http://thecorner4women.com is a Poet, writer, artist, webmaster and designer. He is also the owner of the Oakwood Grafix©2005 Group of websites
http://www.oakwoodgrafix.co.uk/
This article may be reproduced provided it is unedited in any way with all links intact, and the copyright is retained by its original author above.
