THE HAUNTING

WE SHARE A COMMON GHOST

What is this ghost that hides behind us? Do you sense it? Do you feel its eyes on you? Do you fear it? It feeds on fear. Our apprehensions draw it to us. Our fears strengthen it.

This ghost does not lend itself to easy description. Vagueness is its most disturbing characteristic. This phantom is unfocused, fuzzy, difficult to see clearly. It morphs from one shape to another. Its mood shifts its appearances from dark and threatening to merely present and observing at all times.

It is clear this is to confuse and disarm us. We know we can never trust it. We know we must confront it.

We perceive its presence by the vague guilt and discomfort with ourselves which always accompany it. Its goal seems to be to drag us down, to bring personal doubt, dissatisfaction, and a pervasive sense of worthlessness absent a real and specific cause.

It is clear this is to confuse and disarm us. We know we can never trust it. We know we must confront it.

We do not know from whence it came, or why. We do not know how to excise this uninvited presence. We feel like we must find a way to send it away. It absorbs our energies, confuses our minds, threatens our sense of self.

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I see this specter in shadow form as it silently paces behind others. I know it is behind me. I feel its threatening presense. Others see it behind me, but I do not. I sense it is attached to me. Did I create it? Do we all create our…