An often-heard comment in recent months is, “I don’t feel safe.” Actual physical and emotional safety relates to a person’s perceptions and has little to do with objective reality. Our leaders intentionally foment fear as a way of controlling debate and manipulating conversation. We are told that crime is out of control and that immigrants are flooding our community. We are told that our nation’s best days are behind and that only through mistrusting those who are different can we regain our strength. Not so.

Fear is not rational. It comes from the depths of the mammalian brain. It says to us: “There is something in the dark. Run.” Fear makes us feel isolated. It triggers our fight or flight reflexes. This emotion shuts down our higher brain functions, preparing us to meet immediate physi

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