“Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.”
– Leo F. Buscaglia
Experiencing the ebb and flow of fear is exhausting. Fear gains its power when one thinks about what could go wrong. Worrying is a mental echo of fear that replays everything negative that could happen but might not come to be. Fear and worry are energy suckers. They are exhausting and isolating.
In my life, when I dwell on the past—the what-ifs start to creep in and take root. What if I lose my clients after COVID ends? What if I can’t make it as an online practitioner? What if I am single for the rest of my life? What if I die alone?
What if? What if? What if?
I would be lying if I said these thoughts hadn’t crossed my mind in the last month. That’s not to mention a string of negative inner dialogue. You failed at your business. You will never be able to make a living on your own. You can’t create an online presence that will forge the life you love.
Ouch. My mind is a bi***. Never mind, I would never talk to any other person in this way. Why do I say these things to myself?
I have a deep understanding and have had relationships with pain, loss, and grief. They are valid feelings when processes lead to connection, courage, and growth. Yet when they are left to flourish and ingrain themselves deep into our beings, they will always show up as fear.
My recent encounter with fear was hidden in failure.
I am fortunate to have the tools to shift from each experience and redirect my energy to more productive tasks rather than paralyzed by them. After journaling and teaching a yoga class, I found my feet again. I know that life will have difficulties, but joys are the balance of life’s challenges. When I get up and turn my potential to what I CAN DO versus what I have failed at, the momentum begins again in a positive direction.
There is no feeling that takes over life more suddenly or completely than fear. It blindsides and spreads deep into one’s sense of being.
This is why most of us will continue the same patterns and habits in life that have been “good enough”—too scared to make changes and take risks for a more joyful life. Then again, some of us are outliers. We explore beyond the boundaries and go into the scary areas, where fear and failure lurk. It not easy, and we will fail more than those who stay in the safe zone. But we will find a sense of joy and fulfillment that most will never understand.
“Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.”
– Swedish Proverb
Meditation to grow from pain.
- Find a comfortable position and take a few breaths.
- Think about the things that worry you the most? What are fears that come to your mind right now?
- Where do you feel this fear in your body?
- Take a couple of breaths.
- Is this the truth or some manipulation of your mind to live in the bonds of fear?
- Take a couple of breaths.
- Now, tighten your fists and pretend that you are holding onto the fear. Name it, visualize it, and FEEL it! Hold it in your hands.
- Take a deep breath in. HOLD your breath in.
- Exhale… release your hands.
- Visualize your fear leaving your hands. Either dropping to the ground or floating into the sky. Let it go.
- You do not need this fear as a part of you anymore.
- Take a few breaths.
- Place your hands on your heart center.
- Say out loud or to yourself:
- May I be free from worry and fear.
- May I have the strength to stand up when I fall.
- May I have the courage to take the next step.
- May I know love.
- May I live in peace.
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