Subject: Ring The Bells! {Insp}
From: Unicorn (unicorn@indenial.com)
Date: Sun Sep 23 2001 - 02:30:55 EDT
"Ring The Bells!"
I receive letters from people around the world. A predominant
theme I encounter daily, and especially now, is fear. As a
nation, as a world, and as individuals, we are afraid. The root
of the word "terror," from whence we get "terrorism," comes from
the Indo-European base "tre" (shake or tremble) and means to
"shake with fear." We tremble in the wake of planes crashing and
buildings burning. The earth trembles and our very security is
shaken.
I sense more fear now than before. "Afraid is a country with no
exit visas," says Audre Lorde. If you have entered the country of
"Afraid," or are concerned that you may, then listen to this.
In 1799, when the armies of Napoleon were sweeping over Europe,
Massena's army of 18,000 suddenly appeared on the heights above
the town of Feldkirch. It was Easter Sunday and the rising sun
glittered on the weapons of the French army as they overlooked
the village below.
A hasty town council meeting was called to decide what could be
done. Resisting such an army was out of the question. Finally,
the dean of the church arose and said, "It is Easter Day. Ring
the bells and have services as usual, and leave the matter in
G~d's hands." They agreed to do as he suggested and, from the
towers of Feldkirch there rang out loud and joyous peals calling
worshippers to gather.
The French heard the sudden clanging of the bells with surprise
and alarm. They concluded that the Austrian army had arrived to
defend the town. Massena broke up his camp, gave the order to
march and, before the bells had ceased tolling, not a soldier was
to be seen.
In the midst of fear, when there is nothing more to be done, it
may be time to ring the bells. For courage is not the absence of
danger, but deciding to go ahead anyway. So ring the bells! Let
everyone know that you have chosen to LIVE. Let them know that
your true security will NOT be shaken by fear.
Ring the bells! In America and around the world. Ring the bells
and live boldly. You were not given the spirit of fear, as the
Bible teaches, but the spirit of power and love and a sound mind.
Ring the bells! Ring them loudly. Let the mountainsides resound
with their joyous pealing. And after the chimes have died away,
your fear, too, will have disappeared.
Ring the bells!
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