Where the Frack does FEAR Come From?

This question came to mind yesterday morning...

Chilly 22 degF "real feel" as I walk to the office at 7 a.m. in Philly, USA. My mind mood is free and open, although much happening in the world, too much to ponder.

The primary query: "where does fear come from?"
My answers: real, perceived and conjured.

We know REAL fear, as our bodies are wired both instinctually and from the learned experience of our ancestors, who handed down intel over centuries of human development. For example, at some point in the past thousands of years, man learned that gravity kills, and stepping off a cliff was a lethal endeavor. Today, it's why I choose not to step off the George Washington Bridge. I KNOW I WILL DIE!

We all can recognize PERCEIVED fear. Try watching a scary movie with the sound muted...remove the music (think "Jaws") and all you see is a woman skinny dipping in the ocean at night, with a drunk dude blowing an opportunity while passed out on the shore! Add the soundtrack back into the experience, and be scared, be very scared.
Honestly, because of that movie (seen for the first time at 15 years old, a.k.a. impressionable) I have an uncomfortable nervousness when I swim in the ocean. Sometimes, the perceived fear gets me so agitated, I have to literally race out of the water before getting shredded by lots of sharp teeth.

This leads to CONJURED fear. I made up a scenario in my mind, which triggered violent imagery AND my adrenalin. I swam/ran like hell to avoid an unrealistic and violent death!

All three of these versions of fear have value. Yet I believe it takes effort and practice to distinguish between them. The human mind + our emotions are incredibly powerful, able to perform the greatest deeds and the deepest evils.
Knowing what is TRUE and REAL vs. FALSE and FAKE keeps me on the beam, most days.

Which brings me to my final thought: LOVE. "Love conquers all" is so perfectly true, when specifically applied to me, myself and I. Decades ago, I switched from fear-based thinking to Love-based believing.
And my arduous journey from one to the other was worth it.