by Mike Smith Sometimes politicians will say or do something that makes you shake your head in disbelief. Often it relates to overstating their importance, or understating their flaws; but occasionally there’s a fumbled attempt by a politician to highlight their courage. Here’s an example of a wayward attempt at bravado: In describing why he dismisses concerns about his use of the state’s aging airplane, Gov. Peter Shumlin boasted, “I was born without a fear gene.”
Is there anyone who can honestly say that in certain situations they are not fearful for themselves, or others — especially loved ones? Perhaps our fear isn’t associated with flying in an older single-engine airplane — after all, millions of Americans fly in small aircraft. Our fear may relate to something else. For example, single moms often worry about their finances and are fearful they won’t have enough money for either their children or themselves. Soldiers in the midst of battle will fear for their lives. Loving parents constantly fear for their children and hope that they will follow a path of happiness and prosperity.
We all have fears — we may fear different things — but to claim otherwise is braggadocio on the grandest of scales. The key with fear is to control it and not be consumed or paralyzed by it. Bravery is the ability to overcome your fear, not the absence of it.
I had the honor to serve in the military with many brave Americans who faced real, imminent danger on a daily basis for extended periods of time. I can’t recall any one of them proclaiming to be fearless. In fact, Gen. George Patton said, “If we take the generally accepted definition of bravery as a quality which knows no fear, I have never seen a brave man. All men are frightened. The more intelligent they are, the more they are frightened.”
By proclaiming that he doesn’t have a fear gene the governor, whether he intends to or not, naïvely assumes that skedaddling a bear from his yard while nude or riding in an aging airplane against the wishes of his security detail is as dangerous as facing an enemy on the battlefield. Possibly that is why the governor says he has no fear: He creates the illusion of equivalence between commonly occurring events and those events that are truly dangerous or fearful. Perhaps if the governor did face an enemy in combat or was left abandoned on the streets with no money and homeless, he would become acquainted with fear.
Admitting you are fearful of certain situations isn’t a weakness; instead, it’s a sign of strength, because you are being truthful with yourself. Overcoming fear always starts with the recognition of the truth. In addition, this self-awareness gains you immediate credibility with others, and they in turn will trust you. Failing to be cautious because you lack fear is reckless because you can easily disregard or overlook the tragic consequences of your actions. People are sometimes either financially or physically hurt as a result of this recklessness.
No doubt Governor Shumlin is trying to label himself as brave. Why else would he brag that he is fearless? What the governor doesn’t seem to understand is that bravery isn’t self-assigned; rather, this type of recognition comes exclusively from others, and it is earned.
Mike Smith is the host of the radio program, “Open Mike with Mike Smith,” on WDEV 550 AM and 96.1, 96.5, 98.3 and 101.9 FM. He is also a political analyst for WCAX-TV and WVMT radio and is a regular contributor to the Times Argus and Rutland Herald, and Vermont Business Magazine. He was secretary of administration and secretary of human services under former Gov. Jim Douglas.