Fear

No predators. How is that possible?

It was the first day of a recent trip to New Zealand. Our Kiwi guide began by sharing a few fun facts about his homeland, this among them. "Here in New Zealand, we have no natural predators. No snakes, no wolves, no bears. You could put a pillow down in the forest and take a nap. There is nothing here to harm you."

I later learned this was a bit of an exaggeration. New Zealand does, in fact, have a few itinerant creatures unwittingly introduced from beyond its borders; namely rats, possums, and stoats. And yet the impact of that initial statement remained. Which made me wonder. 

What would my life be like without predators, without fear?

What if I felt safe to walk the streets, day or night? What if I never worried my careful fiduciary planning would fall prey to something beyond my control? What if thoughts of a lonely or pain-ridden death never crossed my mind? What if I stopped losing sleep over how bias or prejudicial policies might damage me?

Intellectually I understand fear is a natural and essential part of our wiring. All of us depend on this reflex to survive. But I also know that fear, real or imagined, can sap so much of the joy life offers.

As we move into 2026, perhaps a different perspective on fear might make this upcoming year all we hope it can be...

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us." - Marianne Williamson