FEAR
HIGH ANXIETY
Have you ever noticed first thing in
the morning, before you even start thinking about anything, you already feel a
twinge of anxiety? Oh boy! Your day hasn’t even begun, and you are already
worried about ‘it’.
What is the ‘it’? Well, it is actually anything you decide it
will be. This is the concern that you may have done, are doing or will do
something wrong, and fear the consequences. Let me explain.
Fear, by any other name is still
fear, one of the offspring of ego – another one of its survival tools like
guilt and anger. If you want to survive you need to be constantly vigilant. And
that constant vigilance is fear, anxiety and an underlying, nagging sense of
unease and foreboding. Recognize that same old feeling? Sure you do. We all do.
Just like its sibling guilt and its
constantly underlying feeling of unworthiness, which we reviewed in the last
section, fear can be another incredible helper. Without fear you would say,
“Hi, kitty,” to the roaring saber tooth tiger looming in front of you. Or,
nonchalantly cross an L.A. freeway at rush hour as you twitter away on your
cell phone. Or, how about mentioning to your wife how that dress really does
make her look fat? Now, that’s a really scary thing you should avoid.
Yes, fear can be helpful, so we can
recognize danger signs and take the necessary steps for survival.
But, what happens when fear is
unchecked, runs rampant and erodes our subconscious? We become deeply
incapacitated and emotionally paralyzed. This fear can run the gamut from
becoming tongue tied when that perfect someone steps up to you and says, “Hi”.
To being unable to leave your house because you believe aliens from space are
lurking outside your door and you make all your family wear tin foil hats.
So, what to do about ego’s second
offspring, fear?
When you feel that old anxiety starts
to build, take a sweet, deep breath. Focus on your immediate environment. Feel
the air on your skin and the tactile sense of the chair
you
may be sitting on. Close your eyes and ask your inner knowing Self, “Is there
anything I should be concerned about right this moment?”
Now, listen quietly and should any
specific concern occur to you. Ask, “What is the most helpful, peaceful action
I should take right now?” Then, listen once more. Remember, the peaceful,
helpful answer always makes you feel peaceful! The right answer always gives
you a sense of, “Of course. Now I know just what to do.” It feels right, and
gives you a sense of O.K.ness.
Anxiety,
like guilt is a built in mechanism, but we can learn to recognize it before it
becomes that huge monster in the closet. We can do something corrective –
Ask for insight and follow the peaceful answer. Just a little training and
practice will bring life gently back into a safe perspective.
Anxiety,
like guilt is a built in mechanism, but we can learn to recognize it before it
becomes that huge monster in the closet.
Thoughts,
Suggestions, Things to Practice
How
is fear affecting your life?
1.
Take time to list or even start journaling
all the issues and times during the day or week that anxiety grabs you by the
throat, gives you an upset stomach, sends you to the wine bottle or the extra
sleep aid at night. Then ask for peaceful assurance.
Try
not to become overwhelmed when you notice how often this happens and how it is
handicapping you. Breathe. Ask for assurance, and go on to the next section.
Next lesson we will cover ANGER, the third offspring of Ego. Hope you are discussing these topics with others. Dan, my husband, and I review the section and discuss it ourselves each week, there's always something new to discover about ourselves. If you are concerned about missing some of these section you can always order the course in book form. Just click on the book in the left column at
bettejeancundiff.blogspot.com
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