fear and power

[Barry]

Perhaps fear and power are two sides of the same coin.

We might say that the opposite of love is fear and power. That is the desire to "control" as relates to the self defined ego or inflated ego.

Any thoughts?
Barry

[Amie]

Barry,

I do not think that love has an opposite. I think that love embraces the fearful that feel the need to gain power as a parent would a child who has fallen in a pool and grasps for salvation... who has no idea that it only need to stand up.

Amie

[Me Again]

Perhaps fear and power are two sides of the same coin.

We might say that the opposite of love is fear and power. That is the desire to "control" as relates to the self defined ego or inflated ego.

Any thoughts?
Barry

boy oh boy, can I relate to this recently. Our Homeschool group has always been one that claimed to "have no central leadership, nor by-laws." But, recently it has become apparent that the older members believe they are the leadership.

As I pointed out to someone who was at the same end of the backlash as us that: anarchy works fine until someone wants to be in charge; then there's no mechanism to "fight" the controllers.

We have started a new homeschool group that truly is anarchistic and libertarian. We have a Yahoo group that anyone who wants to be a part of it can join. We have no required attendance (the main issue that upset the apple cart in the first place), and only ask that we support one another in whatever way we can - iow, LOVE.

Oh, in the midst of the problem, my wife reminded me of an old joke, that goes like this:

First person: "knock, knock"
Second person: "who's there?"
First person: "Control freak...now you say 'control freak who?'"

It may not hit the first time you read it, but if you read it a couple of times, it's hilarious, especially if you know a control freak...and that IS rooted in fear. This lady, who all of a sudden thought she was in charge, is fearful that the group might change. She is fearful because for the past year, the other families have operated without her control (setting up our own activities), and it worked just fine. We invited her to come to the activities, and most of the time she refused. What she demanded was attendance at monthly planning meetings (which we didn't need because we had a Yahoo Group), and told everyone that they couldn't bring their kids to it. Control, plain and simple.

Funny thing is, she's joined our new group (it's not really a group, just a clearinghouse for activities), and already she's trying to control it. Oh well.


ed