The speaker shares their personal experience of fearing flying, which was triggered by the 2006 777 liquid bomb plot. This fear was exacerbated by the trauma of the 9/11 attacks and the subsequent terrorist plot. The speaker's fear was so intense that they started researching every aspect of the flight, from weather conditions to the make and model of the plane. They also tried to avoid traveling on significant dates like September 11th or anniversaries of major events.
Despite these fears, the speaker eventually overcame their phobia through exposure therapy, which involved forcing themselves onto planes. This experience taught them that fear is a normal part of life, but it can be destructive if it controls your life. They believe that the same principle applies to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The speaker encourages their audience to accept normalcy and face their fears head-on, rather than letting fear dictate their lives. They argue that the sacrifices made during the pandemic were not in vain and that fear should not be allowed to corrupt the world. The speaker concludes by expressing their gratitude for their audience's understanding and support.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The author is afraid of flying.
2. In 2006, the author was in a study abroad program in London.
3. The author was supposed to fly back to the US on a plane that was a target of a terrorist plot.
4. The plot was foiled, but the author was still anxious about flying.
5. The author has a fear of losing control, which is linked to their fear of flying.
6. The author was 14 years old when the 9/11 attacks happened.
7. The author's fear of flying was exacerbated by the 9/11 attacks.
8. The author's wife, Stephanie, has helped them cope with their fear of flying.
9. Exposure therapy is the most effective treatment for phobias, including fear of flying.
10. The author has flown many times since their initial fear of flying and has become less anxious.
11. The author believes that fear is normal and healthy, but it can become destructive if it controls one's life.
12. The author thinks that people should not let fear dictate their lives, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
13. The author believes that people should face their fears head-on and not let anxiety ruin their lives.
14. The COVID-19 pandemic has made people more anxious and fearful, but the author thinks that people should not let fear control their lives.
Note: I excluded opinions and emotions from the extracted facts, focusing on objective statements and events.