Wonderful post. I do agree that fear is a learned idea, but I also believe that fear is an intrinsic part of our reality. Fear is the polar opposite of love, and we exist in a reality of dichotomies. Fear nor Love are neither essential to the human body. Really, emotions are not essential in general. Anywho, I agree wholly that fear can and should be unlearned. I too was arachnophobic for many years until recently. I lived in a house where the owner would banish anyone who killed spiders in the house, forever. There were lots of bugs in the house, I was not in a very stable financial position at the time, and he considered the spiders his helpers. The room I lived in became infested with brown recluse after a storm that flooded the area. Since I LIVED there, I had to figure out how to overcome my fear and relocate these poisonous spiders. Of course after many panic attacks and much unneeded anxiety, I am now more intrigued by spiders than I am scared of them. I even allow them to stay in my home to catch flies, as long as they stay out of my personal space.
Thank you for composing this well written article. Your ideas and messages were conveyed in a very easy to digest format that was very enjoyable to read. :)