By John Halterman Depends on how you define worst. Most dangerous? Most contagious? Most deaths? Biggest impact on society? I believe that THE most contagious, most dangerous and biggest killer is not a health virus. It is FEAR. Fear can save your life when you are in danger. Fight or flight stuff. Walter Cannon, chairman of Harvard University’s physiology department from 1906 to 1942, originally describes this phenomenon…”The hormone, adrenaline, activated by the autonomic nervous system, sends signals to various parts of the body to activate the fight-or-flight response. Increasing heart rate and blood flow to the muscles, dilating pupils, and slowing digestion.” Fear can also cause the opposite. It’s called quiescence. Or, “playing possum.” And it can also save your life. Quiescence saved missionary David Livingstone’s life. In Africa, when a lion grabbed him in its jaws, he went limb. He reported that he felt no pain, even “a kind of dreaminess.” The lion dropped him and moved on. We are not underestimating the impact of the Coronavirus in any way. The death toll has now reached more than 3,000 in the United States. This is more people than we lost during 9/11. I am a firm believer we have to be smart and follow the rules. Everyone should practice social distancing, wash our hands constantly, and stay home (please, STAY HOME). Fear can also steal your life away. Anxiety, worry, fretting, consternation… and panic. Stealing your confidence. Stealing your courage. Stealing your heart. Stealing your will to really live. William Wallace, made famous in the movie, Braveheart, was purported to have said, “Every man dies, not every man really lives. Fear can steal the heart of a nation. Fear has currently taken over our nation during this scary pandemic. But again, if everyone will follow the rules our government is telling us to do, we will come out of this on the other side together. In crisis, we need confident, courageous, committed men and women with the WILL to live… and overcome! This virus will pass. Wash your hands, keep your distance from others, avoid touching your face and help those in need. Another virus will come. So will other disasters. Resist the call to fear. It’s time for COURAGE! About John John Halterman, best-selling author and nationally published blogger, has been featured as a financial guest expert on the shows of self-help gurus Brian Tracy and Jack Canfield, author of Chicken Soup for the Soul, and has appeared on ABC, FOX, BRAVO, NBC, CBS, and A&E. John is the expert host of the weekly WDTV News 5 segment “Solutions 4 Financial Independence.” As an authority on wealth management, he has been invited by hundreds of institutions such as universities, federal agencies, professional associations, and large energy and utility corporations to be a guest speaker and educational event host. Event topics include retiring ready, managing down market investment risk, how to reduce your tax burden, and transferring your family wealth in the most tax advantageous way. John is the founder and owner of Beacon Wealth Management, specializing in helping entrepreneurs, professional practitioners, and retirees overcome the 5 major challenges facing successful families. He is a warm communicator with a passion for helping people transform their financial futures. John understands the multifaceted set of financial worries people face as they become more successful and enter the Retirement Red Zone. He empathizes personally with each client and delivers a collaborative client experience that empowers people to reach their life goals. With more than two decades of experience, John’s professional credentials include Certified Wealth Strategist, Accredited Investment Fiduciary, Certified Estate Planner, Chartered Federal Employee Benefits Consultant, Professional Plan Consultant, and Registered Financial Consultant. He is also a past member of Ed Slott’s Master Elite IRA Study Group. A native of Weston, West Virginia, John served in the United States Air Force prior to becoming a wealth advisor. Today, he resides with his family in Clarksburg, West Virginia. He and his wife, Lisa, have been married since 2005 and have three amazing children. A family-oriented man, he enjoys giving back to his community, coaching youth sports, landscaping, architectural design, and playing racquetball. #FinancialMarkets #BWMProcess #BeaconWealthManagement #JohnHalterman #JohnHaltermanofBeaconWealthManagement #Coronavirus #Smallbusiness