Introduction and Recap of Previous Posts

Third Instalment of blogs posts on surveillance. This post is different from our previous posts; however, I would like to make an apology to the law enforcement officers and first responders who community who serve the Lakes Region. WHY? The previous two posts on surveillance may “appear” to have been critical or judgmental of those officers and first responders. Criticism and judgment was and is not the intention. I personally have a great deal of admiration and respect for each of them and their families who support them in their tireless and often thankless service. I hope and encourage readers to share in that understanding.
Continuing Our Outreach Mission. See PDF “One Sheet LINK”
PDF “Executive Summary LINK”.

That said, in recent posts we we addressed “surveillance” in the Lakes Region from a largely “secular” perspective. In this post that will change “somewhat”.

These prior posts are referred to by reference as a foundation for this one.

— “Impacts of Surveillance “Statecraft” in the Lakes Region — “Takings” of Personal Data”
— “Facial Recognition — Surveillance in the Lakes Region hi - What are the REAL Consequences?”

Outreach education such as those posts is “part” of the mission of TEAM CONNECTED; however, it is only one such “part”. Those posts were actually written to provide a foundation for this post; which addresses common FEARS in our community — and yes — common FEARS within each of us. LIVING FEARLESS is our “main mission” with TEAM CONNECTED through outreach and providing the Lakes Region with individual and small group workshops. LINK

So to begin, let’s start with FEAR. Consider this question as we begin. In our endless stream of thoughts, do we make daily choices to live in FEAR, chained into an invisible, self-imposed “prison without bars”?

And next, consider this question. What FEARS do we have which support surveilling one another on a 24/7 basis? There are likely many such FEARS.

That admitted, are these FEARS a tangible, observable “substance” we can actually see? — or is it simply a “thought”? — a perception? — which we sense internally?

A recent article in “Psychology Today” revealed the average human being has 12,000 or more thoughts each day. That’s significant; but even more startling is the revelation that 80% of our daily thoughts are negative, and 95% are repetitive. “Negative Thinking: A Dangerous Addiction, Why we can't stop thinking about the things that make us feel the worst.” Posted April 15, 2019.

So let’s talk about that. What if there was another point of view — a different “Worldview” which fundamentally changes how we individually approach our common FEARS?

By that, I mean a different “FEAR NOT” Worldview which “may” apply to any one thing or behavior — and for which surveillance “appears” to be a solution?

Those who study fear in a clinical setting seem to agree that FEAR is largely a “learned behavior”. Except for two common FEARS, all others are not inherent at birth.

“… Is it really possible that most of our fears are learned? Some amount of fear is required for our survival, but most of even those essential fears appear to set in only a little later in life, and by observation of fearful behaviors in adults. Scientists have found that two fears are inborn in humans—the fear of falling, and that of loud noises. Infants as young as 6 months old will hesitate and not crawl onto a surface that seems to look like a cliff edge. This early development of depth perception and avoidance of a "cliff" in humans and other animals could be an indication that the fear of heights is innate. As is the fear of loud noises. …” Psychology Today, “The Neurobiology of Fear, How much of fear is inborn?”. Posted October 3, 2019. LINK

“… the most commonly repeated phrase in the whole Bible, (Old Testament and the New Testament), is “Fear not!”, “Be not afraid!” “Have no fear!” or “Do not be afraid!”. LINK

To further build a foundation for this post, we will turn to a few videos which present Jamie and Donna Winship. Each of these has been selected from over a hundred such videos or so. BUT WHY? These videos address Living Fearless, identity without fear, and both the SEPARATION Worldview prevalent in society — compared with — the CONNECTED Worldview. Each video is foundational for readers to understand the motivation and mission of this post. Not watching these videos all the way through is certainly understandable. We are all busy. However, for a complete understanding of this blog post, the several hours it may take is strongly encouraged.

Jamie Winship has decades of experience bringing peaceful solutions to some of the world’s highest conflict areas.

After a distinguished career in law enforcement in the metro Washington DC area, Jamie earned an MA in English and developed a unique process called the Identity Method. This process of identity transformation is the key to resolving inner conflict and acquiring new levels of learning and creativity. His unconventional efforts to bring about societal and racial reconciliation led him to Indonesia, Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, Israel and back to the U.S.

Jamie has worked with leaders in professional sports, business, education, law enforcement, government, non-profit, and other sectors. He is the author of the book Living Fearless.

Jamie and his wife, Donna, are co-founders of Identity Exchange, a training and consulting agency that helps individuals and teams discover new levels of creativity and resiliency within the framework of true identity.

Donna Winship left the American dream with her husband, Jamie and their three boys and spent 25 years raising their family in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. This was a journey that would forever change her life.  Living overseas in a predominantly Muslim country, Donna discovered the principles of the Kingdom of God as demonstrated by Jesus and learned to live fearlessly in her true identity. When put into daily practice, these principles result in peace that surpasses understanding and truth that results in genuine freedom – even in an atmosphere of war, terrorism and death.

She has a B.S. in Elementary Education and Seminary Training and has worked as a teacher and an elementary principal. Donna is the co-author of the Knowing Rediscovered, Becoming What You Believe and Identity Method courses on personal transformation at the identity level.

Jamie and Donna have worked with leaders in professional sports, business, education, law enforcement, government, non-profit and other sectors. They are co-founders of Identity Exchange, an agency providing training and consulting in the transformative power of living fearlessly in one’s true identity.

“… After all, fear is often at the root of many societal issues, from prejudice and discrimination to political polarization and conflict. … When it comes to the types of fear in psychology, we can broadly categorize them into innate fears and learned fears. Innate fears are those we’re born with, hardwired into our brains through evolution. These might include fear of heights, loud noises, or sudden movements – all of which could have helped our ancestors survive in a dangerous world.

Learned fears, on the other hand, are acquired through experience or observation. … Lastly, we have existential fears – those deep-seated anxieties about the nature of existence itself. These might include fear of death, fear of meaninglessness, or fear of isolation.
While less tangible than other types of fear, existential fears can profoundly influence our worldviews and life choices. … After all, as the saying goes, courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. In understanding and managing our fears, we don’t just improve our own lives – we contribute to a world where fear no longer divides us, but unites us in our shared human experience.”.
“Psychology of Fear: Understanding Its Types, Causes, and Impact on Human Behavior” (2024).

So, is “learned” FEAR the motivation factor behind omnipresent, 24/7 surveillance? Yes, it may well be; that is, with the desire to monetize a SYSTEM which promotes FEARS. We will come to a short analysis of that SYSTEM below in this post.

Let’s unpack this FEAR thought stream a bit further. Ask yourself — How many of the 12,000 thoughts you have each day are FEAR based negative thoughts; which we now understand are not only 80% of ALL daily thoughts, and are also 95% repetitive?

How many of those FEAR based thoughts include NOT HAVING ENOUGH:

— resources (money, food for the month)?
— security and safety for yourself and family?
— love in your family?
— joy in your family?
— education to advance in life?

Are all of these questions ones which replay over and over again in your thoughts of NOT ENOUGH. Is FEAR generated with these repetitive thoughts — about this NOT ENOUGH continuing as a state of life in the future?

If yes is the answer, you and I are certainly not alone. And many of us learn in life to attach our IDENTITY to these FEARS of NOT ENOUGH and SCARCITY.

The FEAR of perpetual SCARCITY is both a learned behavior, and daily mindset, shared by most human beings … perhaps until a different Worldview is considered below.

There is — and has always been — another Worldview depicted below in this graphic.

We have a free will “choice” to adopt a CONNECTED Worldview — or — reject it by embracing a SEPARATION Worldview.

Two Worldviews | One based on “Connection” and LOVE — the other based on “Separation” and FEAR.

Internal conflict always yields external conflict …

In reading what follows briefly below, hopefully this will simply inform readers. If any sense of FEAR arises, slow down and compose your thoughts, then internally let God know you are feeling fearful, shock, angry or whatever it may be. Ask God what do you want me to know about this FEAR? LISTEN CAREFULLY.

Alternatively, if you want to learn more about Living Fearless and hearing from God, I do recommend Jamie’s book. Neither TEAM CONNECTED nor myself receive anything from Jamie for referring you to his book. It changed me dramatically and perhaps it will help you.

Tying this post back into previous posts which began with Surveillance in the Lakes Region, the following video is offered. It summarizes many concepts and events over the past 50 years, which some of lived through until today.

No doubt some of the events portrayed — in a phrase — represent how we were trained to FEAR. In one sense, that is a good thing, as it gives us an opportunity to heal over those incidents an be at peace. To be still and know that I AM God. To become aware right now God dwells in each of us.