08-25-2010, 03:18 AM
Take some comfort in knowing that the problems you have are what Victor Hugo would call 'attractive problems.' It sounds to me like you have a heightened sense of your circumstances and your ability to control them. Not at all a bad thing to cultivate, since most people are far more careless and, subsequently, unlikely to prevent problems before they arise.
#1. You are not paranoid about walking in the dark or taking main streets. For any age or gender it is a risk to do so when you could easily take lighted paths. Public safety cannot be guaranteed by any legislation, and it is up to the individual's discretion to be mindful to keeping themselves safe from potentially vulnerable situations, or making themselves an easy target. Good on you for choosing to be safe rather than sorry. As to being uncomfortable with horror movies when alone at home, it is not at all unusual. Any type of media - movies, books, music - with violent or horrific themes are a negative influence, entertaining though they may be. There are other ways to seek entertainment or adrenaline rushes without succumbing your mind to disturbing thoughts. There is a quote I remind myself of often, by the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche: And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you. Contemplation of disturbing themes will disturb your mind, and keeping your mind psychologically safe from such themes is as healthy as keeping yourself safe from physical harm.
Let me know if this helps you, I shall reply then to problems #2 and #3.
#1. You are not paranoid about walking in the dark or taking main streets. For any age or gender it is a risk to do so when you could easily take lighted paths. Public safety cannot be guaranteed by any legislation, and it is up to the individual's discretion to be mindful to keeping themselves safe from potentially vulnerable situations, or making themselves an easy target. Good on you for choosing to be safe rather than sorry. As to being uncomfortable with horror movies when alone at home, it is not at all unusual. Any type of media - movies, books, music - with violent or horrific themes are a negative influence, entertaining though they may be. There are other ways to seek entertainment or adrenaline rushes without succumbing your mind to disturbing thoughts. There is a quote I remind myself of often, by the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche: And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you. Contemplation of disturbing themes will disturb your mind, and keeping your mind psychologically safe from such themes is as healthy as keeping yourself safe from physical harm.
Let me know if this helps you, I shall reply then to problems #2 and #3.