In response to the question: "Why fear living life?"

There are a zillion things people can choose to fear. It takes no small amount of mental finesse to separate all the added variables, some natural, some man made, life from consideration of life itself.

In other words, if there were no risks, problems or pain, would life still be frightening?

Life is a gift, and a wise person feels compelled to make the most of it while being grateful for it. That suggests that one has a responsibility to perform well and succeed, and may fear falling short of meeting that objective.

Non-human beings seem to have the right idea. If a threat presents, fear triggers the needed boost to optimize physical performance, that helps them escape the threat. In the absence of a threat, there is no fear.

I think it's uniquely human to ruminate over things to fear. Unfortunately, that leads to chronic anxiety, which can trigger even more anxiety producing thoughts.

I wonder if children who lived "in the shadow of the bomb," benefited from addressing the problem of fearing things of which they had no control. The kids in my neighborhood claimed understanding of the possibility of being blown up, yet they still played blissfully, and without evidence of anxiety or fear. Kids who grow up around gang violence have even more to fear, yet often they play as though there's nothing to fear, even when having lost family members to violence. I think children are tapped into a higher level of wisdom, and some adults should observe and re-learn what the children inherently know.

Many children and adults have difficulty dealing with fear. PTSD leaves people sensitized and reactive, with easily triggered anxiety. Often, if asked "why are you anxious?" they don't know how to answer. I also think many are predisposed, by their DNA to having anxiety, or have both trauma and the predisposition.

The question, "Why fear life?" is certainly loaded, and to fully answer it would take volumes. From another perspective, the question is liberating, if a person with habitual anxiety looks around and realizes there's nothing to fear.

Surviving trauma, hardship, loss, grief and other adversities can be and often is instrumental in transcending fear. Those who survive can help those who are still struggling with it.

A very useful thing to remember is that Love displaces fear. Pure loving intention adds value to life, and leads to a special kind of trust between the person and the Divine. Then, life is appreciated and death is not feared.