I’m the first one to admit that I have often overlooked that I have options in life because I have been crippled with nervousness or anxiety. (Well, sometimes I have but not always.) Just recently, out of nowhere, the thought that I DO have a choice popped into my head.
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/165960700
(Apparently, this new thought has happened many times before) And, of course, I have written about this choice again and again.(Ad nauseum.) I will try over and over until I get it right.(It’s not looking too good.)
It’s the toughest lesson for me to learn.( Really? I hadn’t picked up on that yet?) I know it in a cerebral way it’s just not reaching my body.( oh please, what utter garbage, it hasn’t reached anything, anytime, anywhere.) Let’s face it, take the damn healthy drug.(Was there ever another option that worked?)
This may not be shocking to many but for me, it was an awakening.( yes, again for the umpteenth time.) Circumstances will change that we will have NO control over, that’s a given. How you look at those changes( I could seriously slap myself)
and how you react are things you can (hopefully) control. (slapping harder.)
After endless years of worrying, obsessively worrying, about the future past or present it came to me in one clear moment,( I really doubt my sanity sometimes) out of the blue, (again) when I was not even thinking about it, that I can choose my reaction (sometimes, probably while medicated) how I look at my reactions given the same situation.
It’s true, I can choose to make something a tragedy or an opportunity, deal with it, get hysterical or just let it sit for a while. (an amazing amount of bulls–t right here.)
I think meditation (last time I tried I could only do two minutes before I got antsy) and yoga ( during the class) and being aware of my breath has helped me, I try, (emphasis on TRY) before I panic, to take a few, long, deep breaths. Inhaling slowly, ( now THAT really would relax me, oh just kidding) settling my brain, forcing it to neutral even if it is only for one minute has helped me (this part is true).
Believe me, I’m not saying it will never happen again,( ha, ha, ha) I may slip back into my old sloppy, slovenly ways sometime ( now) when I am deeply overwhelmed (as in half an hour ago) but at least now I know I have the capacity to make a choice, (once in a while) that it is up to me. I am not a victim, I am in charge of my life. (Yes, I should definitely be in charge, and NOT a victim -nice try) A trait known to many but unknown to the same amount of people, the worriers of the world, the anxious, the timid, the frightened.( I’m here, in the left hand corner with my peeps.) I can change my reactions or my ability to perceive the news( As if…) It’s not always easy, I’m the first one to agree with that but we do have potential to try. (Yes, we do have the potential …)
I take a class once a week called”chair yoga” which I absolutely love. It keeps me centered, it gives my body some exercise and gives me something to look forward to every week. Picture something relaxing to you if you need an image, anything that you think is relaxing or beautiful is perfect. It can be of your newborn baby, cheese cake with luscious strawberries on top, flowers, the ocean, anything you love that is peaceful and that brings you happiness:
Trust me, if I can do it, ANYBODY can…and
don’t judge me or anybody else…we are in this together.
Hibernationnow's Blog 
What J/J said. I totally was going to say the same thing.
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Hey – great post – grrrrrrrrreat insight.
P.S. I think judgement is a good thing – let’s us evaluate right from wrong, good from bad. It’s not judgement that for me is wrong – it’s about whether I jump to conclusions before I have enough information/education to make an informed judgement.
I judge people all the time! I judge myself all the time!
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