The difference between caution and fear.

@Pose123 (21635)
Canada
February 25, 2009 8:48pm CST
There may be times when we do not know the difference between caution and fear. Caution is what causes us to stay on the curb until the cars have passed, fear is what keeps us "stuck" there when it's safe to walk across the street.It can sometimes be a difficult balancing act to get rid of fear while still holding on to caution but being able to distinguish between the two can mean the difference between success and failure in life. If you're trying to make a decision right now, what is it that's stopping you, is it caution or is it fear? Think about it.
3 people like this
7 responses
• United States
26 Feb 09
The one saying I love from Star Wars is "Fear leads to Anger, Anger leads to Hate, and Hate leads to Suffering". Fear is an emotion that can snowball out of control and paralyze someone. It also is an emotion that can cause not only suffering for you but for those around you. Caution, I agree, is something we exercise when staying safe. For example, I'm cautious when I walk through my garage alone (I live in an apartment), but I'm not paralzyed by fear, simply aware of my surroundings. I can't say that I have any real "fear" in my life that is preventing me from anything currently. Though, I do have some reserves. I had a poor first teaching post, and even though I've had wonderful posts after that, the first one sticks in my mind and I'm always nervous about taking new posts. I'm currently waiting on my license up here (I taught in another state), and I will say that I'm not paralyzed by fear, but I do have those initial wrigglings in my stomach. I think that if we can become aware of those initial starts of fear, we can get them underwraps and move forward in our lives. Namaste-Anora
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
27 Feb 09
Hi Anora, Thank you for responding and I believe that we agree. Blessings.
@krajibg (11923)
• Guwahati, India
26 Feb 09
Hi Pose! you know what? Fear and caution do really differ. When you are in the state of fear you are more cautious but when you are more cautious you might easily meet with an accident that you were all the time concious to avoid. What I feel you should not be with fear factor when you are cautious.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
26 Feb 09
Hi krajibg, Thank you for commenting. Blessings.
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
26 Feb 09
Hi Pose123! I have not been so much aware about this. I know the difference between the two but never have actually reflected upon it. I had been a risk taker as far as I can remember but my husband have slowed me down throwing caution here and there. I guess, with some aspects of my life it was caution that stopped and slowed me down but I do admit that there are some things or ventures that I never continued because of fear. Take care and blessings to you! lovelots..faith
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
26 Feb 09
Hi faith, Thank you for respondimg and for your comments. Blessings.
@hotsummer (13837)
• Philippines
26 Feb 09
yes there are some fears on my life that put a stop on my progress in life and from achieving my dreams in life. and it made my life stagnant and it is like i am getting older without accomplishing in life. i think caution is just fine . cause we all need some cautions in every thing that we do in life without it then we will be in many big mess and we may end up in big danger in life.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
26 Feb 09
Hi hotsummer, Thank you for responding and we agree. Blessings.
@savypat (20216)
• United States
26 Feb 09
I call caution, common sense, there is thought behind this reaction. Fear on the other hand is an unthinking reaction to a perceived threat, it may be real or unreal.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
26 Feb 09
Hi savypat, Thank you for commenting and I feel that you are right. Blessings.
@TLChimes (4822)
• United States
26 Feb 09
This is why my book is un-finished. The thing is that I'm aware of the problem, I'm just a little reluctant to fix it. That I'm not sure the reason behind. Maybe it's how many people told me how poor of a writer or person I am. But a new set of people came into my life and I'm getting better. I am writing again. But not on the book. Hmmmm... something to think about.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
26 Feb 09
Hi TLChimes, Thank you for responding and maybe you should think about that book again. Certainly get the opinion of someone you trust and accept constructive criticism but stay away from negative people. Blessings.
@zhuhuifen46 (3483)
• China
26 Feb 09
I guess caution is a relatively positive attitude. By caution, we are willing to weigh the pros and cons, and backed by common sense, or experience, we make choice or decision. But fear is likely to prevent us from objective thinking, and if any thought, mostly tilted towards the rejection. We are more likely to succeed if we have a strong inner power. For a same thing, some fear, some don't, depending on their previous exposures, and their inner power.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
28 Feb 09
Hi zhuhuifen,Thank you for commenting. Blessings.