Bitter Water pushes far beyond the struggle of man versus man and asks the reader to consider how fear is often the root of irrational and destructive behaviors.  Fear of others, fear of deprivation, fear of being rejected, and fear of the unknown are often at the foundation of prejudice. 

Being the decade long target of discrimination while in Wyoming, our story stands in testimony that bullying, on the part of the perpetrator, is one of the most obvious manifestations of fear.  When fear floods our brains to the point of blocking accurate data from entering and assisting with rational thinking, we are at a huge disadvantage.  The fear driven brain is fertile soil for opportunistic seeds to take root.  The first plants we see crop up in soil that has been disturbed are opportunistic weeds!  They have developed over the ages to survive in the worst possible conditions and will take over landscape leaving no room for the beautiful and healthy plants we hoped to find.

The fertile soil of the brain caused by fear can be seen everywhere; and the opportunistic entities within our society who wish to plant seeds of their own selfish choosing, seeds that will produce a crop that will serve their particular needs, are scurrying to fill the void.  The way to protect ourselves is to move from fear by using our critical thinking skills.  Does someone benefit by getting me to listen to their lone voice?  Are they trying to get me to go beyond my boundaries?  Or am I telling myself stories in order to justify why I should abandon my morals?  Am I searching numerous sources to get all the data?  Fear wears a million masks which makes it difficult to identify.  And finally, there really are times when we may feel justifiably afraid.  

Bitter Water is so much about fear and a clarion call to all to recognize the fear in ourselves and, to more importantly, recognize the masked fear that others are wearing.  

Featured photo by: Stormseeker