Fear Factor. Do you watch that show? Neither do I. In fact, of all the so-called reality shows on TV these days, that is the one I would be least likely to watch. It is based on the premise of seeing what can be done to make someone "lose it" in front of millions of people. Up to your neck in snakes, rats, maggots, whatever, and how long can you last. Oh goody.

Fear, of course, is something that is common to all of us. Truth be told, many of our fears are baseless - we are afraid of and worry about things that never happen. But there are times when our worst fears are realized. What happens when, afraid of floods or earthquakes or hurricanes as we are, one actually hits us? What happens when, afraid of flying as we are, the plane DOES actually develop engine trouble? What happens when we …