Anxiety 1-Oh-1

Anxiety comes and goes, and in some, grows. One may have a foreboding that something is about to go wrong. Efforts to avert this sense of impending disaster may create apprehension, too. Anxiety ranges from optimal and helpful, which causes one to prepare (i.e. study for a test, practice a speech), to unhelpful anxiety, which may cause one to freeze and feel like a failure.

Successful people have more anxiety. People who do things in the world have reasonable worry. Some, however, agonize.

Whenever one is faced with a compelling worry, doing the things that empower can alleviate the sensation. You cannot know for certain that others will make things right for you. All you can do is make certain things are right within yourself and hope your efforts will produce a good outcome.

Notice the nuances within yourself that bid you caution. Work and relax until you are ready to stop. Sometimes the cues are subtle and seem out of reach and not easy to verbalize. You just know something is nudging at you. When this happens, pause. Ask yourself: What did my eyes see? What did my ears hear? Cultivating this gift of awareness may save your life. Negating the internal cautions that come to you may cause you to take steps toward regrettable, avoidable indulgences.

Information allows one to make informed choices and lessens anxiety. The confidence this creates in you will magnify others’ assurances and goodwill toward you, too.

Fanny J. Crosby, blind hymn composer, wrote, “Angels descending, bring from above, echoes of mercy, whispers of love.” In 2010, for you, our families, friends, communities, nation and world, I wish these echoes, whispers. What I call, sighs of contentment.