Written by: Nicole Friets | Photograph by: Abi Koh
When in the course of growing up, it becomes necessary for Nicole Friets to dissolve the emotional bands which have connected her with fear and to assume among the powers of adulthood, a decent respect to the judgements of others requires that she should declare the causes which impel her to the separation.
She holds these truths to be self evident, that all men and women are created equal, that she has been endowed by her Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and most importantly, the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Emotions are instituted among men, in an attempt to help them experience life on earth. That whenever any of these emotions become destructive of these ends, it is the Right of Nicole to alter or to abolish it, and to replace it with a new emotion or coping mechanism, so as to ensure her Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that emotions long established should not be changed for light and transient causes. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce her under absolute Control, it is her right, her duty, to rid herself of such an emotion, and to provide a new emotion for her future. Such has been the suffering of Nicole, and such is now the necessity which constrains her to alter her different forms of fear- fear of change, fear of failure, fear of judgement, and fear of the unknown to name a few. The history of her present emotion of fear is history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all negative impact on her. To prove this, let facts be submitted.
Fear has prevented her from taking positive action in her life when action was definitely needed.
Fear has affected various areas in her life in a negative way.
Fear has caused her self esteem to drop dramatically.
Fear has refused to allow her to enjoy parts of her life to the full, the most wholesome and necessary for her good.
Fear has held her down from trying new things, usually for little good reason other than not knowing what will happen.
Fear has caused her to feel unnecessary anxiety and hopelessness due to a paralysis of analysis.
Fear has led (indirectly) to numerous hospital stays and incomplete treatment courses.
Fear has prevented her from enjoying fellowship with and blessing so many people.
Fear has stopped her from enjoying the diverse variety of food available to her.
Fear has given her an attitude of negativity toward herself and others.
Fear has led to her doing things just to please as many people as possible - at sometimes the expense of her own well-being.
Fear has made her avoid situations that she knows she needs to face in order to mature in spiritual, physical, mental and emotional walks of life.
Fear has caused many sweaty (albeit AND? smelly) armpits, tears, drenched shirts, hours of pacing and racing hearts.
At various points of these oppressions, Nicole has asked or tried for redress in the most humble terms. Her repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated emotional pain. Such an emotion, whose "character" is marked by very act that may define an evil, is unfit to have a part in a free Nicole.
Nor has Nicole been wanting in attention to these Emotions. She has tried using logic from time to time to try to counter the negative thoughts of fear. She has undergone countless hours or therapy sessions and had numerous conversations with various people. She has tried replacing these anxious and fearful thoughts with happier ones. However, these have only helped temporarily. She must, therefore, acquiesce in necessity, look to God and hold these emotions, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
She, therefore, a unique creation of God, does, in His Name and Authority, appeal to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of her intentions, and by Authority of her own emotions, solemnly publish, declare, and pledge independence from her various fears- fear of rejection, fear of change, fear or judgement, fear of failure, fear of the unknown, fear of weight gain, etc.
Nicole is currently pursuing a degree in interdisciplinary arts at Liberty University Online. She enjoys long walks with her dog and talks along the beach, people watching aka studying, exploring new malls and gems in Singapore, watching musicals, traveling, cheering people up and puzzles of most any sort. You can follow her on littlemissnic.tumblr.com or littlemissnicnotes.wordpress.com.