In the current climate, we often find our lives filled with many reasons to worry. How do we make ends meet? Our future seems unsure and insecure. We seem to be steeped in worry – perhaps justifiably so. However, worry makes us weak. It weakens our ability to seek solutions. Worry is like a bucket with a hole in it – no matter how hard we work to fill it we always end up being drained and empty.
In this environment how do remain practical, realistic and aware of the forces of change around us and yet beyond worry? It is useful to explore the root cause of worry. One of our basic needs is to feel secure and safe. In order to fulfill this need we try our best to control our environment. When we find ourselves losing control, the unpredictability of our circumstance leads to feelings of vulnerability. And it is this vulnerability that creates the tendency for us to worry. Our key need is to feel safe and secure. But it is the very nature of life and matter around us that there is constant change.
So the challenge is that instead of only focusing on creating external security and safety – we need to create an inner sense of assurance and being anchored in inner strength. Where does this inner strength come from? Many people find this through faith and prayer, or meditation. To connect with this inner power begins with a deeper exploration of the self. Who am I? What is my purpose? What are my inner principles and values? If I believe in God, how deep is my faith and how true am I to my faith?
When the foundation of self awareness is created, it allows for a deeper, more meaningful and powerful relationship and connection with the “Source” or God. This is an approach to create inner power and security – it is on the premise that we are spiritual beings living a physical life. Hence our deepest needs have to be fulfilled spiritually and cannot be satisfied only physically. When there is this deep inner power and self-centeredness, an internal security – then one will not resist external change but flow with it. Any resistance to change is what creates pressure. When we learn to flow with the change pressure is released and we invite new energy and opportunity into our life. Many times we resist change only because we are familiar with the past.
Change is an unknown and hence our tendency is to expect the worse. So instead of seeing change as a threat – challenge the self to embrace the uncertainty of change as an opportunity to stretch and grow. The quality of ones experience is always determined by the perception one holds.
A dear friend of mine had to take a huge cut in salary a few months ago due to the impact of the recession. On one level it could have created untold worry of how to make ends meet. On another level,she took a moment and started reflecting on her life-style. Is it really aligned with the values she holds as important? This meant, simplifying things around her, having more home cooked meals, spending more time in conversation and walks with her kids rather than just watching movies together – it meant bringing more quality and meaning into her life rather than just consuming.
Instead of just worrying about the change in circumstance – it meant living more!
To break the pattern of worry, an important practise is to remain more focused on the present. We have the tendency to keep thinking what if??? Whatever happens in the future I can only deal with it then, however all I have the power for is what I do now. The more I remain focused on the present the more I help myself from excessive thinking. This allows for space within me, a deeper clarity in the mind, to be more creative and solution orientated rather than just worrying about what has not yet occurred. This approach will help one to live with greater contentment and inner peace.
REMEMBER ..............................
In this environment how do remain practical, realistic and aware of the forces of change around us and yet beyond worry? It is useful to explore the root cause of worry. One of our basic needs is to feel secure and safe. In order to fulfill this need we try our best to control our environment. When we find ourselves losing control, the unpredictability of our circumstance leads to feelings of vulnerability. And it is this vulnerability that creates the tendency for us to worry. Our key need is to feel safe and secure. But it is the very nature of life and matter around us that there is constant change.
So the challenge is that instead of only focusing on creating external security and safety – we need to create an inner sense of assurance and being anchored in inner strength. Where does this inner strength come from? Many people find this through faith and prayer, or meditation. To connect with this inner power begins with a deeper exploration of the self. Who am I? What is my purpose? What are my inner principles and values? If I believe in God, how deep is my faith and how true am I to my faith?
When the foundation of self awareness is created, it allows for a deeper, more meaningful and powerful relationship and connection with the “Source” or God. This is an approach to create inner power and security – it is on the premise that we are spiritual beings living a physical life. Hence our deepest needs have to be fulfilled spiritually and cannot be satisfied only physically. When there is this deep inner power and self-centeredness, an internal security – then one will not resist external change but flow with it. Any resistance to change is what creates pressure. When we learn to flow with the change pressure is released and we invite new energy and opportunity into our life. Many times we resist change only because we are familiar with the past.
Change is an unknown and hence our tendency is to expect the worse. So instead of seeing change as a threat – challenge the self to embrace the uncertainty of change as an opportunity to stretch and grow. The quality of ones experience is always determined by the perception one holds.
A dear friend of mine had to take a huge cut in salary a few months ago due to the impact of the recession. On one level it could have created untold worry of how to make ends meet. On another level,she took a moment and started reflecting on her life-style. Is it really aligned with the values she holds as important? This meant, simplifying things around her, having more home cooked meals, spending more time in conversation and walks with her kids rather than just watching movies together – it meant bringing more quality and meaning into her life rather than just consuming.
Instead of just worrying about the change in circumstance – it meant living more!
To break the pattern of worry, an important practise is to remain more focused on the present. We have the tendency to keep thinking what if??? Whatever happens in the future I can only deal with it then, however all I have the power for is what I do now. The more I remain focused on the present the more I help myself from excessive thinking. This allows for space within me, a deeper clarity in the mind, to be more creative and solution orientated rather than just worrying about what has not yet occurred. This approach will help one to live with greater contentment and inner peace.
REMEMBER ..............................
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