It’s Okay, Regardless
Two pieces of advice for chronic worriers
This might be the best thing chronic worriers and anxious folks will read today.
For starters, you know how the mind works — you’re probably way too familiar if you consider yourself a worrier. You’re here enjoying your day, sipping wine with friends, or trying to focus on work, trying to learn a new yoga pose, or simply feeding your kids. Then it suddenly wants your attention — like a stubborn, spoiled child, it will eventually get to you after its incessant cries for attention. You’d better give what it needs; otherwise, it won’t leave you alone.
Chronic worriers struggle to function in a normal society. Their attention has to be divided between living a normal life and dwelling anywhere other than in the present moment. They may worry about something from the past and indulge in self-blame and judgment. They may also get concerned they’ll be in trouble for their choices in the future. They also may feel like losing their minds when they cannot make a choice.
I must say that last week my mind seemed to be winning — I was getting my butt kicked. Badly. Meditation didn’t seem to help. Advice from friends didn’t either. Good reads couldn’t distract me enough. Was I losing it? You bet I was.
I had been caught up in a dramatic mental dilemma, where I told myself I had to make a decision and do something to avoid a possible “threat.” My heart begged me to let it go, but my mind kept pushing — it tried to shame me. “If you don’t do something about it, you are a bad person.” You know the voice of your mind. You must be strong enough to be the observer and to see how ridiculous it sounds sometimes. But even when you observe it, it still holds some power over you.
Then I meditated, prayed, and set a good intention. I know my “I Am” (so hum) presence, my connection to all that there is. This unlimited and loving power is infinite, and its mind knows more than my limited, judgemental mind. I simply asked for help. I just need some advice. Then I kept doing my affairs, knowing that at some time I’d have the answers I was looking for somehow. I also let go of resisting my feelings. I allowed them to be there — and that is huge, as resisting always makes things worse.
