“Hi! I’m Anxiety. Where should I put my stuff?” InsideOut2 Disney Pixar Movie

Meet Anxiety

She shows up and moves in like an unwanted guest with lots of baggage and bad habits. She incites feelings of dread, fear, and uncertainty. What if you take the wrong step? What if things don’t work out? What if what you are doing is a waste of time? What if…

She usually arrives in the middle of the night and projects worries of doubt and fear. Doubt leaves us feeling disempowered and accelerates feelings of fear into chaos and confusion.

What story are you telling?

Resist the temptation to let anxiety tell your story. Does your story have the elements of a scary movie plot with a very predictable ending? Or are you sharing possibilities for something new to be revealed? If we can name the emotions before they turn into anxiety, we can slow down our thinking and change our vibration. Breathe. Pause. Center. What am I believing? What experience does this remind me of from the past? How can I see this differently?

We get to choose the story we tell. We choose whether we will react out of emotion or respond out of calmness. We choose whether our movie plot ends tragedy or in harmony. We choose whether we stay attached to the old way of being or are willing to step into newness.

Find just one possibility

Here’s the thing – We are all dealing with serious issues right now. Almost everyone I know has shared about waking up in the middle of the night feeling anxiety and dread. Our nervous systems are on high alert right now. The world does not feel like a fun or friendly place to be. 

However, if we are willing to see just one area of life in a new light, we can see a new possibility. If we are willing to tell just one new story, we raise our vibration and contribute to the vibration of humanity. If we can use one spiritual practice to reconnect us with faith, we move in a direction of love.

Remember to breathe

When we take steps to become aware of our thoughts, beliefs and emotions we can tone down anxiety and tap into our spiritual practice to bring us back to harmony and peace. Breathe. Meditate. Pray. Chant. Focus on qualities of joy, Call a friend. Hug a pet. 

Give anxiety a time out. Take a breath and live in the moment. Allow Love’s healing power to take charge. Remember you are loved.