How to Deal with Anxiety

The media uses highly biased emotionally charged words like “operative” and “heart-wrenching” combined with vague words like “presumed” and “allegedly” to keep you both fearful and confused. As an informed citizen, you need to understand that the media is constructing a highly strategic narrative about the world and your place in it. When you can see the narrative for what it is, you cannot be manipulated. 

But we need to delve a bit deeper into where your emotions are coming from. Is it the news story? The argument you just had with a co-worker? The guy that cut you off in traffic? 

LIE: Your thoughts are true

We are held captive by our thoughts, believing that they are all true. Yet, over 70% of everyone’s thoughts are negative… I was trained to believe that I am my intellect and to believe all of my thoughts. My self worth became intricately connected to grades, ranking, titles, and achievement. 

We are conditioned to analyze everything with our logical brains. We are taught to believe every thought that pops into our head. “Wow, they said I was lazy. That makes me mad!” You cannot control your thoughts and they don’t need to control you. Watch your thoughts come and go. Your free will is your ability to choose which thoughts you give life to. 

LIE: You are Powerless

Society trains us to believe that there is a world outside of us and we are just reacting to it. The best we can hope to do is notice our reactions and work hard to change them to positive ones. The outside, objective world has the power. We are powerless. Or so we believe. 

LIE: You are Alone in a Cold, Uncaring World

We have been trained to see the world through a materialist lens. In this worldview, the only thing that is real is physical matter. You are a separate block of physical matter that is alone in a cold, uncaring dead universe of other unintelligent matter. Millions of years of evolution produced a brain that gave you consciousness. When you die, your separate self and consciousness are no more. We are trained to see nature as something to be tamed and conquered. It is unpredictable and random. Human technology can conquer it. How well is that working? 

So, you do your best to survive in this cold, competitive, uncaring world. You try to make some money, take care of your family, look out for #1, and hope for the best.

LIE: You are Not Enough

There is always something that you’re not naturally good at: math, running, art, debate, you name it. School expects us to be good at everything and trains us to compare ourselves  to others in the game of who can process the most information wins. School forced us to focus on our weaknesses so that we could get straight As, a high GPA, get into an elite college, and then hope there was a job waiting for us so that we can pay off student loan debt. The result is that we all judge ourselves as unworthy.

You start believing that you are somehow lacking and need to fix yourself. It becomes your shameful secret. You think if you can just get enough money or followers or stuff, you will be okay. Even movie stars, CEOs and successful YouTubers suffer from the false Imposter Syndrome. This training of generations has led to an epidemic of anxiety, depression, hostility, fear, and loneliness. We need to break the cultural trance of fear and we do it one person at a time. I invite you to learn how your beautifully designed human operating system really works. It’s quite magical!

TRUTH: You Are a Powerful Energetic Being
(not a separate block of physical matter)

There is a universal intelligence behind all life. It is an intelligent energy that grows babies, opens roses, and flows through all humans. It is far more powerful than our intellect. Our brains are tools of this universal intelligence, not its master. How can you possibly know that it exists? Because it comes to you in moments when you are calm and relaxed and you have a sudden insight or ah-ha moment. That’s why so many people have great ideas in the shower or when walking the dog. 

To begin to love our Self again, we must expand our concept of Self. Anita Moorjani said in one of her podcasts, that when she crossed over to the other side during her near death experience, she saw that the part of us that resides in our bodies is only 20% of us. She urges us to connect with and love the other 80% of us that we cannot see. 

Quantum physicists and biologists have discovered something amazing about life. Life requires 3 things: energy, matter, and information. With the discovery of the human genome, they found that encoded in the DNA of all living things is information. Because of the advances in digital information and AI, they now know that this information cannot be random and cannot have emerged gradually through natural selection. There just wasn’t enough time for this to happen. So, the million dollar question: where did the genetic information in all living things come from? There must be an intelligent energy that is powering all life. 

Let’s face it, scientists have come up with some pretty cool technology that has made our lives infinitely more interesting and have protected us from the elements of nature. But no human has been able to create life. So, how does life happen? If humans can’t create it, aren’t we playing God when we try to control it? 

Here’s a better view of life and self from science, common sense, and direct experience… In nature, we see the abundance, perfection, and oneness of all life. Nature beckons to you to come and experience your connection to life. The gentle breeze, warm sun, cool rain, icy winds, call of the birds, buzzing of insects, kisses from your dog are all invitations to join in the majesty and beauty of this earth.

TRUTH: Only the NOW exists

Do not pay attention to the endless stream of worries about the future or regrets of the past.​

You can only be where your feet are. The NOW is the only thing that exists. The past only exists in your thinking – in your memories. The past is not real. The future is not real. And no amount of worrying or planning will control its outcome. There are lots of ways to get present, be mindful, and be where your feet are including: meditation, walks in nature, music, laughter, breathing. You don’t need techniques, you just need to notice that your internal GPS is alerting you that you are believing your negative thinking. 

TRUTH: Your Feelings and Sensations are your GPS

Your emotions are a psychological compass that tells you the state of your thinking. 

I was told to ignore or mistrust emotions — they are irrational. I struggled to make sense of the ongoing battle between my head and my heart. To make decisions, I’d make a logical pros and cons list. 

Our true essence is LOVE. Not romantic love, but unconditional love of all that is. I now understand that I am love. I don’t need to look outside of myself for something that I already am. I can go into the world needing nothing, ready to connect through love. To experience love as your true essence, it can be as simple as breathing into your heart space and feeling the warmth and love that is there.

TRUTH: Every Cell of Your Body is Intelligent

Relax into your body. Connect with the energy and intelligence behind all life. Our body has natural intelligence and is trying to communicate with us every second.

I was trained to see my body as just a vehicle for my brain. 13+ years being forced to sit still and use your intellect for rote memorization has disconnected you from a body that wanted to be outside, run, play, move. Medical professionals apply band-aids applies to any symptoms of dis-ease that popped up.

I now understand that my body is continually sending me messages to let me know if I am on the best path for my highest good. Am I really following my true calling and hearing the whispers of my soul?

Begin to move mindfully again. Do a body scan daily. Yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Dance, or other somatic practices can re-connect you with the intelligence of your body.

TRUTH: Your Intuition/Inner Knowing Guides You

You are always guided moment by moment to action that serves your highest Self.

Our intuition/divine wisdom is a quiet whisper that we can hear when we take time to be quiet. You were born with this innate intelligence until it was schooled out of you.  I know what my intuition feels like in my body. YES is light, expansive, and full of energy. NO is heavy and I energetically shrink.

TRUTH: You are Part of the Whole

“The major problems in the world are the result of the difference between how nature works and the way people think” ― Gregory Bateson

Experience your Self connected to the Oneness of life. Reject all thoughts and fears that you are separate, alone, or unsupported.

Putting it All Together

I invite you to create a set of morning practices to do when you wake up. I’ll share my favorites here:

1. Ground Your Self. Take 3 minutes to connect with your body. Just breathe and feel your body. Notice where you are holding any tension and breathe into that space, just noticing. Lovingly accept it. Don’t force it to relax. 
2. Feel your Self as Love. Breathe into your heart center for 3 minutes and affirm that you are pure love. Use words, colors, or images to guide you.
3. Ask your Self, “Who do I need to be today? What do I need to do?” and wait for the answers and impulses to show up now and as you go through your day. Set the intention that you will be guided by your Soul. 
4. Set aside time to just be in nature. Marvel at the beauty and abundance all around you. Be a child again and allow yourself to be in awe as if you are seeing it for the very first time. 
5. Trust your intuition. When faced with a decision, use your divine Yes and No. 

Above all else… Be fearlessly your Self, Demand Joy, Be Grateful.

If you would like guidance and support on your journey, schedule a mentorship session with Caprice.

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