Fearless: The Abstract Definition

For my AP English course we were told to write an essay on a word and give an abstract definition of it's meaning. This is mine, and my teacher poorly judged it, so if you would like to comment and critique please feel free to. (Originally written October 24, 2011)

FEARLESS

“Let us not pray to be sheltered from dangers but to be fearless when facing them.” (Rabindranath Tagore)

The simple straightforward explanation anyone would tell you is that fearless is one who is unafraid, and shows no significant emotion of fear; but to me, this very moment where we stand, this is fearless. The English pronunciation and definition was established centuries ago, but its meaning has existed since the dawn of man.

Fearless isn’t just the absence of fear though, it isn’t acting courageous, daring, or brave like the classic heroes we read about in books or see on TV. I believe fearless is being completely terrified, unsure and absolutely afraid, yet still willing to take the risk for whatever we do in life.

Fearless is walking through the doors of your biggest fears. It’s the reality of entering high school with your best friends and exiting without them. It’s the discomfort of knowing that death can overcome life any day. It’s the heartache of losing a loved one. It’s the distress of sitting alone in a silent room. It’s the chance you take to love, even though you’ve been hurt before. It’s the agony of knowing there’s a giant spider on the wall from which you know no one can save you.

Funny as it may seem, fearless is everything that scares you out of your senses right up to the point where you feel defeated. At the edge of defeat though, you manage to pull yourself together, get up and then unexpectedly jump off the edge into the fear itself and somehow move on.

Individuals that take that leap are the Fearless. The antagonist, doubt, though, will try to break through your walls and tear you down until you’re just like them; Doubters are unhappy and envy the Fearless.

They will tell you, “YOU CAN’T!”

They will scream and shout at you, “YOU’RE WRONG!”

And they will address to you, “YOU WILL NEVER BE as good, as fast, as pretty, as smart, as strong and so on”

These acrid words can hook one into thinking that they could never achieve anything in our miserable existence. Doubt at its best can even take away the fabric of your very life. People then conclude that life is much easier hiding behind a mask than unveiling and exploiting their true self, but doubt is a foolish path to take.

I don’t know a single person who has at no time doubted. The only people that come to mind are fictional characters found in comic books such as Superman. Superman is the man of steel; he’s the ultimate hero who has saved the planet several times from malevolent doings. Historically noted Superman’s context is a reflection of the liberal idealism of the New Deal, to try to relieve and recover the economy. Superman really was a “hero”, who tried to uplift the tangible and dismal times during the Great Depression. Superman is remembered for his super strength and power, but he is also remembered for his only weakness kryptonite. This symbolic message displays that all of us have our faults, but that we can rise over them and become super or fearless.

As we learn more of the worldly problems though, our doubts increase and finding the energy to become fearless is not as easy. Doubt seems to be a completely natural action that gives you an easy way out of the awkward positions in certain situations. Most of us assume that to be fearless you must present illogical, unreasoned, and perhaps even crazy actions in front of society; and you do! But not necessarily in a way that others will see you as too far beyond the norm. Still, this makes many of us uncomfortable and can cause even the bravest of souls to run away and hide.

And what a surprise to you, I have fears and doubts too; big ones, little ones, and ones that I don’t even know why they’re there. I fear that tomorrow won’t go as planned, that I may not be happy in the end. I fear the world may spiral out of control before I get my chance to reach my goals. Most of all, I fear for my family and friends. It may seem silly, but to deal with these fears I have found an escape in the art of music and song that can raise my spirits and make me fearless. In my hour of darkness, artist and songwriter, Taylor Swift has helped me with my fears. Swift produced an album titled Fearless which idealizes fearless as falling in love and having affection for someone even when logic or other persons try to keep them apart. A part of the lyrics to Fearless are:

 “’Cause I don’t know how it gets better than this.

You take my hand and drag me head first.

Fearless.

And I don’t know why, but with you I’d dance in a storm in my best dress.

Fearless.”

 Words like these may seem cute, but the meaning behind them is dramatic and inspiring. These words give me the sense of being fearless, they make me hope, and believe. I agree with every word Swift sings, fearless is just letting go, forgetting all your mistakes and society’s preconceived misconceptions and being with the one who loves you for being you.

In the end, fearless is stronger than doubt, unknowingly how. I’m wonderstruck how the Fearless can strike out doubt. Fearless is incredible. It’s a feeling of truly belonging. It’s the sweet breathe of hope. It’s the strength of an army. It’s a blessing from God. Fearless is faith. Fearless is beautiful change. Fearless is us.