Worrying About Nothing

 "Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed".

But no, I am not going to agonize on this gargantuan topic. What I will be dealing now is how men worry too much about something that does not even remotely appear to be existent. Kumbaga, parang lahat ng posibilidad nailahad na at sa kalaunan ay parang naging totoo na.

There was a story in my high school world literature book which tells a story on how the first war happened. Two tribes live on opposite sides of a big, wide river. The watchmen from each side closely observed each other's movements.

One day, the chieftain of Tribe A ordered his warriors to whet their spears and bolos since these have become rusty out of lack of use. So the warriors of Tribe A went to the river so they could wash their weapons and be able to whet these on the rocky outcrops near the river bank. The flock of men alarmed the watchmen of Tribe B. One of them reported to the chieftain. "My dear chieftain, I saw the men of Tribe A preparing their weapons in the river! I am sure they will attack us shortly! the man shuddered after.

Chieftain B dismissed the report and instead ordered his men to have a fencing drill in the drill grounds near the river side opposite the place of Tribe A.The men of Tribe A were so alarmed at the sight of the warriors of Tribe B, armed to the teeth and practicing their moves and seemingly ready to attack them!

So the watchmen of reported to Chieftain A. "My chieftain, Tribe B is going to attack us! What shall we do? The chieftain of Tribe A ordered a peemptive attack against Tribe B.

So what happened next? Of course skirmish ensued. And when many died both sides resorted to negotiation for an armistice.

At the negotiating table, both parties presented their sides.

Tribe A: My men just whetted their weapons but what did you do? You prepared to attack us!

Tribe B. My men were just doing a fencing drill but your men were sharpening their bolos, apparently preparing to attack us!

Result? Both sides decided to declare an armistice. Cause of war? Unreasonable fear, erroneous judgment, seeing a phantom where there is none.

Humans are like that. When they hear that somebody is going to govern them, many conjectures are boiling in their minds. "What if he is so strict? What if he has criminal instinct? What if he is corrupt?" All these ensued even before the man they are talking about materialized in front of them.

Others would venture to say "What if mabait naman pala siya?" Another would threaten, "Wag nya lang akong ipahiya at makikita nya ang hinahanap nya!" Owwwwsss??? May ganon?

It would have been better if, instead of sowing fear or feeling threatened, one would rehearse inn his or her mind on how to ignore insulting remarks, or how to preempt any insult by diverting the topic in a nice way.

As they say, face your fears!