LOVE vs. FEAR   In the realm of behavior, I have always been fascinated with what motivates people.  The way in which people interact with each other is both dynamic and interpretive.  We all process data and then respond accordingly dependent upon the input and subsequent assessment.  What we as human beings need to understand is that the significance of the response and subsequent interaction is not in its intention but in its effect.    Ivan Pavlov studied behavior in animals, specifically dogs.  He wanted to test whether he could condition the dogs to respond in a certain way.  His theory is called the conditioned response theory.  The basics of this theory concluded that upon presenting food after ringing a bell, the dogs, after a while, began to salivate just upon hearing the bell ring.  What this tells us is that the response was conditioned by the sound of a bell.  The dog made an assessment right after the sound of the bell that food was imminent, thus the salivating response.    We as human beings have been subject to this all our lives.  We have been conditioned to respond in a certain way as a part of a family, part of a church, part of a government and a larger society.  All of which have instilled within us certain beliefs and conclusions, so much so, that they become almost automatic.  What this does is create a person who can no longer think for him/herself and who only thinks of the intention and not the effect�?”I put my ideas out there because this is how I have been told to think, no matter the effect on anyone else�?  The assessment is automatic and unconscious.  This is why we have so much divisiveness in the world.  The intention is self-preservation of not only “myself�?but also “my�?beliefs at any cost whether it be religion, government, or whatever.   Let’s suppose for a minute that we change all that.  Let’s suppose, that instead of this automatic conditioned response, that we choose to assess in a different way.  Instead of the ‘intention�? let’s focus on the ‘effect�?of our interactions.  Instead of considering only our own self-preservation and our intention of maintaining that at all costs, we focus instead on not worrying about it at all.  What I contend is that all our lives we have been conditioned out of fear---fear of the dark, fear of strangers, fear of punishment, fear of abandonment, fear of failure, fear of death, etc. etc.  Even within our religions we teach the fear of God, the one entity for which we should never associate fear.  It’s no wonder that we live our lives operating from a base of fear.   Now let’s go back to focusing on the ‘effect�?of our interactions instead of the intent.  The intent is basically self-preservation, which originates in fear.  The effect of operating from this fear base is reactive and powerless.   One never really considers this effect, only the intent.  However, what if we truly focus on the effect instead of the intent and operate from a dynamically opposed base of operation.    What I purpose here is very simple.  There really are only two emotions in life from which we base our response and from which all other emotions emanate.  They are “fear�?and “love�?  Fear contracts, restricts, confines, and repels.  Love expands, reaches out, liberates and embraces.  Fear is reactive and love is proactive.  If you were to choose which effect you would rather have in life, which would it be?  This is what I am proposing is that you “choose�?love.  Make an assessment based in love and your effect will be so much more powerful and influential.  Your sphere of influence will expand farther than you could have ever imagined.  You will be proactive and your personal power will increase exponentially.   You may ask�?how can I do this?  This sounds really good but how do I undo all the years of conditioning?  It is very simple really.  All you have to do is change your assessment from that of self-preservation and knee-jerk reaction of fear to one of considering that “behind all behavior is a positive intention if we want to find it.�?/I>    If you begin to embrace this premise and choose to operate from a base of love from which assessment is that all behavior has a good intention, then you will notice a remarkable change in your life and how you react to people and situations.  You will gradually be liberated from your prison because fear will no longer dominate you.   “Ego�?will no longer control you for you realize that there really is no threat to “you�?so there is no need to protect the fragile ego.  And since ego is a protective shield, you will begin to lower that shield and interact with people in a totally different way.   You will be proactive instead of reactive.  You will be reaching out and embracing people instead of pushing them away.  Your sphere of influence will expand and your personal power will come to you naturally.  You will have a life more fulfilling than you could ever imagine because you have no more fear.  Think of the possibilities.   I believe that all great prophets who walked this earth, attempted to teach this very simple philosophy.  We, as human beings, have corrupted and twisted the teachings for our own preservation of beliefs and doctrines.  It is time to let these go and consider the effect of religions on humankind.  The awesome destructiveness of terrorist in the name of religion is now more evident than ever.   When will we learn from our mistakes and move toward humanity that embraces and welcomes our differences and accepts the diversity in all of us?  One can only imagine the synergistic energy that could emanate from a world whose only base of operation was love and acceptance.  It boggles the mind.    So, begin your journey to personal power and create your own reality of expansive energy.  In this way, by starting an individual at a time, a ripple effect will be created and more and more will join us in our travel.  It all starts with the individual, and then society will gradually change.  Accept the challenge today�?choose love.   ©Pat Lowery