I am lying bed with either a bad cold or a mild flu. I am listening to music that is new to me, and therefore I cannot determine if I really enjoy it or not. I am such a creature of habit that even new songs mildly offend me until I become accustomed to them.

Fear. I've been reading "Zen Habits", and they spoke of fear today. Not just fear of the dark or scorpians, but fear of projects, fear of being overweight, fear of clutter, fear of relationships. And I think they are right.

Does every patient in my office really fear trying to revamp their lives and lose weight? Do they embrace the misery they know? And what about the smokers? Do they fear the concept of not being a smoker? Do these things become such a habit that they evolve into a identity? If so, perhaps I should stop talking to my patients about addiction and begin talking to them about fear.

"Fear is the little mindkiller. I will face my fear, I will let it pass through me. And when it is gone, only I will remain."

Does anyone else think that this isn't just a quote from a novel, it is also the wisdom of the author?