fear nothing but fear itself

the other day a friend threw a challenge to us just after the church service. ten of us. she first asked us whether each of us knew our HIV status. everybody said yes. surprisingly, when she asked when we had gone for testing, 7 of us had not tested. shocked, she asks how we know we are positive then.

those of us who haven't done the testing bit are like, we know ourselves, haven't done anything' we clean. ok, she says, if you clean, then come with me to the new start and confirm it. nobody budged. 'i know i am clean so i don't need to prove anything to anyone was the general response.

shocked, she did the same to another group nearby. same response. i began to wonder and i am still wondering up to today. seems like the world is full of 'clean' ppeople who won't test. but testing is a crucial step in maintaining that status. knowing your status and actually having it confirmed empowers you more than just knowing it in your heart coz you know yourself. it gives u the kind of self-assertiveness that u can't really have without being tested even if you know yourself.

so guys, even if you know yourself, you still need to go for testing. it doesn't mean you are afraid or guilty, it means you are being responsible and involved in your own life and future, you are not letting events shape you but you are shaping events, you are not leaving your life to chance but u in charge