Fear is the most valued asset in the world, especially when it is coupled with shame. All the great and powerful institutions have realized fear and shame's worth; they have used and abused the pair to gain control, maintain control and destroy all that would usurp control. Religion, government, business, the media, even friends and family have all used fear and shame to exert control. Often it is beneficently disguised as trust.

As individuals we sometimes fear the dark, or aberrant weather, changes and differences, we fear our enemies, we fear the angry gods. In moments of weakness we fear everything we don't know, and then much of what we do. We are ashamed of our fear because we fear our fear will be unmasked. "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain," as we are revealed suddenly in a diminished form.

We are told to fear for our safety, our future, and our salvation. "Fear for your life!" – and we do. Fear is that potent a weapon; it compromises the core of who we are, our judgments, values, actions and how we live our lives. We quake from fear and long to be brave, to do what is right, what we know is right, but instead we cower in the long, dark shadow of fear. We at times construct an artifice of lies and deceits to cloak us from our fears, but the shame felt from that inability to act, limits us, and ultimately allows others to affect our behavior and take control.

When someone wants to exact power, they search for your Achilles' heel. They look to find that small spot the magic water of the River Styx did not protect. What secrets in your life, if exposed, will bring you under their control? Perhaps it is your pride, your consciousness of your own dignity. If your shame is revealed, it just may destroy your life, family, job, and especially self-esteem; so you fear the moment when your shame becomes your vulnerability. Yes, we have learned through the ages that fear and shame can be as devastating in their power as that arrow's pierce of its target, Achilles.

How do we disarm, deprive of its power to hurt or give harm, those who would wield fear and shame for their own benefit? Recognize when fear is presented to you. Question, do you trust in this fear? Is it rational fear, irrational fear, or is it manipulated fear? Shine a lantern illuminating the dark shadow that accompanies fear. Rumors, lies and innuendo shirk from enlightenment. Realize the potential of shame felt when you succumb to fear’s power; be brave, own up to your actions and motivations, be proud of who you are, be honest about what you do.  Wonder next time you are told to “Be afraid, be very afraid,” is someone or something trying to control you or your actions through their use of fear? Is it heeding caution that they seek from you, or is your inactivity in the face of their activity that is the goal? “Trust me, I know what I’m doing,” may not be the advice you should embrace, especially when someone whispers it to you from the dark.