Both Hope and Fear Contain a Dangerous Amount of Want and Worry in Them

[DISCLAIMER]

As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is informed by Stoic philosophy, this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding a book entitled The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman.

The authors quote ancient Stoic philosopher Seneca stated, “Hecato says, ‘cease to hope and you will cease to fear.’ . . . The primary cause of both these ills is that instead of adapting ourselves to present circumstances we send out thoughts too far ahead” (page 347).

For context, the American Psychological Association (APA) defines hope as “the expectation that one will have positive experiences or that a potentially threatening or negative situation will not materialize or will ultimately result in a favorable state of affairs.”

As well, the APA defines fear as “a basic, intense emotion aroused by the detection of imminent threat, involving an immediate alarm reaction that mobilizes the organism by triggering a set of physiological changes.” With both hope and fear, a potentially negative outcome may result.

For instance, I hope that I have peaceful sleep tonight. After abruptly awaking from my slumber in the middle of the night, I fear that I will not fall asleep again. Thus, hope isn’t solely about positive experiences, as one’s perspective on a particular matter determines one’s experience.

Here, Seneca’s reference to Hecato’s view on thought is worth briefly describing, as the APA defines this term as “attention or consideration given to something or someone.” Regarding the subject at hand, authors of The Daily Stoic state (page 347):

Hope is generally regarded as good. Fear is generally regarded as bad. To a Stoic like Hecato (known as Hecato of Rhodes), they are the same—both are projections into the future about things we do not control.

Both are the enemy of this present moment that you are actually in. Both mean you’re living a life in opposition to amor fati [a Latin phrase that may be translated as ‘love of fate’ or ‘love of one’s fate’].

Future-oriented hope for a well-rested night may seem good. However, suppose that my thoughts which fuel hope serve more as inflexible prescriptions, not mere descriptions for the moment I face in the present. Then, my outlook causes present-oriented fear which is viewed as bad.

Of this, authors of The Daily Stoic state, “It’s not about overcoming our fears but understanding that both hope and fear contain a dangerous [able or likely to inflict injury or harm] amount of want and worry in them. And, sadly, the want is what causes the worry” (page 347).

For clarity, the APA defines worry as “a state of mental distress or agitation due to concern about an impending or anticipated event, threat, or danger.” When rigid thoughts inspire hope, fear and worry may result. Now, I invite you to understand how hope isn’t necessarily positive or good.

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

Photo credit, Designed by Magnific, fair use

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