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Fear — The King of Emotions

by sen-c

1992. 6th ‘B’ Science period. NMR Sir’s Friday quiz.

If you didn’t know the answer, you’d feel it — five clean fingerprints on your back.

Some wore three undershirts that day. Some stuffed notebooks inside. Everyone had their own strategy to soften the blow.

That day, my name was called.

I got a question — and froze.

My friends looked shocked.

My heart raced.

Each step to the front felt heavier than the last.

Sir raised his hand — like Life itself switching into Slap-Mode.

Uncertainty. Fear. Ego at its heaviest — the terror of being punished in front of everyone.

And then — in the split second before impact — sudden silence inside me.

I still feel that momentum.

The classroom noise disappeared.

Just his question. Just my memory searching.

Somewhere beneath the fear, through the filter, the answer surfaced.

I answered loudly:

“Nephrons, Sir. Filtering impurities.”

He paused. Smiled. “Good.”

I’m in 2025 now.

And I finally understand what happened in that moment.

We’re taught that preparation and calm minds help us face challenges.

And they do.

But Fear? Fear is the King of Emotions.

It can weaken even the strongest person.

Or it can do something else entirely.

Here’s my #SimpleSecrets about fear:

It’s not trying to stop you.

It’s filtering out the noise so you can see what matters.

Life puts you in Slap-Mode more than you think:

  • The pitch that could make or break your startup
  • The conversation that could save or end a relationship
  • The decision that could define the next five years

In those moments, you’ll feel fear.

Fear of losing. Fear of failing. Fear of what comes next.

But here’s fear’s flip side:

It’s showing you what you actually care about.

And what to filter out.

Your pride? Your comfort? Your loved ones? Your dream? Your purpose?

Fear throws away everything except what matters.

Because once you filter the noise — the answer surfaces.

Just like nephrons filtering impurities.

Just like that moment with NMR Sir (6th B).

Use fear as your filter.

P.S: Afraid AI will replace you? Use that fear as a filter. What is it showing you about what actually matters in your work?