Hope and Fear

I was supposed to do a creative writing post today, but I just don’t seem to have it in me. So I’m doing a photo association instead.

When I see this photo, it seems to evoke a strange combination of hope and fear. Interestingly, it’s for the same association—the light at the end of the tunnel.

Hope because that light can signify the end of troubles, heavenly rewards, good times ahead…you get the idea.

Fear because it is the unknown. The light is vague and doesn’t make clear what’s on the other side. Certain sayings come to mind:

• Out of the pot and into the fire.
• Look before you leap.

Now that I think about it, some people would view success in the same way (though most probably don’t know it). They want it, work towards it, do almost anything for it. However when they get close, they fear it and sabotage their efforts. There are even books to deal with it, for example:

• From Sabotage to Success: How to Overcome Self-Defeating Behavior and Reach Your True Potential by Sheri O. Zampelli
• Get Out of Your Own Way: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior by Mark Goulston, M.D. and Philip Goldberg

While writing this post, I started wondering if my fear is the fear of success or the fear of failure. According to this article, mine is more the fear of failure.

Regardless, if I don’t manage this fear, this fear will manage me. Ironically, either fear will bring the same result.

What does this photo evoke in you?

Photo source: by extranoise on Flickr