As a young woman living and roaming the streets of downtown Toronto on my own, my personal safety is always at the front of my mind. Cell phone in one hand and pepper spray in the other, I try to take every step with as much caution as is humanly possible.
I walk into my house, instantly fasten the three locks on my front door and check the locks on the back door to be sure they are still in place. I don’t answer the door when I’m home by myself, and I’m always sure to keep my cell phone within arm’s reach. One might think that someone with an attitude like this would be relaxed, knowing that all precautions have been taken. However, where I might be safer than most from external threats, some people might argue that I’m in danger of something else: my neuroses.
Maybe the above-mentioned routine was a bit of an exaggeration, but the truth about life is that the world is full of threat, danger, and unfortunate turns of events. Especially with the ‘war on terrorism’ in the forefront of most people’s minds, it seems that no matter where we turn there is something to fear. From driving the car, to terrorist attacks, to rape, to Y2K, if we let ourselves live in a state of panic, we would all be prisoners of our own terror.
Having said that, the flip side to being overly cautious is often something I like to call stupidity. Those who live their lives in ignorance of the threats that are imminent in the world are no better off. Sure, they have peace of mind following the old saying “ignorance is bliss,” but in doing so, they put themselves at higher risk of something terrible happening and furthermore will be unprepared and shocked when tragedy strikes.
Many of my girlfriends aren’t worried about their personal safety. As I sit, basking in my neuroticism, while they explain to me how they want to walk home alone at 2 a.m in the downtown streets, I realize that I am happy the way that I am, craziness and all. The truth is that I am equipped with something that they are not: knowledge and awareness. There really is truth in the phrase “Knowledge is power.”
Being well informed allows people to not only be educated about the latest threats in the world, but also have the sense to keep the fear of these threats in check, and live with confidence as a result. Only with this knowledge can I beat off the panic that can often set in, and still be prepared if life should take an unexpected turn, as it often does.
So to those who loathe their cautiousness, I urge you to own it and the empowerment that comes with it. Be cautious, be safe, but most of all stay sane in the process.
