The specter of terrorism has raised its ugly head. Once again, the world is spellbound by the latest Osama bin Laden tape. As a result, the mass media has kicked in to high gear with rampant speculation and fear-mongering about what this means for America. The bin Laden tape has caused Americans to spend a lot of time talking and worrying about this latest threat to our security. But to what avail? If your job is to thwart terrorist plots and protect the country's safety, then by all means, you need to pay attention to what's going on. But for the average American, there is nothing to be gained by dwelling on terrorist threats. Be honest with yourself. Is there anything you should do differently, any action you should take, just because someone has issued a vague threat to harm Americans? Of course not! This is a huge country, and even if someone did attempt to carry out a terrorist plot, it is not likely to occur in your little part of the world. You could choose to be constantly on the lookout for suspicious-looking characters and keep your basement stocked with 6 months worth of provisions, but what kind of life is that? As with other risks in life, we should simply take prudent precautions and forget about it. You know when the terrorists have really won? When they successfully plant fear in the hearts of millions of Americans. We simply cannot allow ourselves to be swept away by the intense coverage of terrorist threats and other negative news stories. You can train your mind to behave. When your mind begins to get agitated over the latest dire warnings, just say no - turn off the TV and divert your mind to something positive. Just as in training a small child to behave, it's important to be consistent. If you allow yourself to indulge in worry every now and then, your unruly mind has won the battle. Make a commitment to fight terrorism where you can do the most good - in your own mind! Karen Wheeler Hall - All Rights Reserved |
