Crying as I read this… I’m in a tough place right now with anxiety, and feel my world is becoming smaller and smaller as I become too afraid to do the things I know I enjoy. Sometimes looking outside my own mind can be something as small as imagining the face of someone I love…
I really liked this because of so many changes going on in my life. At first I was frightened and frozen. Now I am polishing myself up, removing the negative as much as possible by bringing in as much positive as I can. For example, I used to play piano fairly well (for a lay person) but illness has brought that to a halt to the point where I am afraid to play. SO, I AM TAKING PIANO LESSONS. My teacher is a marvelous drill sergeant (I exaggerate) who has me on difficult exercises only. She makes me focus away from myself. It is only one of many things that I am doing for my physical and spiritual health as I am going it pretty much alone (with a roommate to whom I happen to be married). There are reasons.
Yes, the smallest things - even just opening the blinds and letting the sun shine in and gazing out the window, or stepping outside and looking at the nearest tree can help. Then we do another small thing, and another. Fortunately, we can always call ourselves a beginner and begin again. Of course, we could also mercilessly beat ourselves up - which the "primal mind" or "reptilian brain" prefers to do - aiming to keep us in a negative loop, addicted to downer thoughts.
Yesterday, I had a long day of driving through the desert and then through heavy traffic in 106 degree heat. I had just read the post on the Grand Canyon in the morning before I left and as I drove, I applied some of the thoughts I read about the Canyon to the vast blue sky filled with billowing clouds. I thought of the sky as a mirror of the infinite possibilities God, our Father, holds within himself and for us. Reflecting on the sky broke me out of the tedium of my own looping thought patterns. I greatly appreciate your posts, which, to me, feel like bright, clear windows, looking out of the closed circle.
Wow! Taking piano lessons again. This is exactly focusing away from oneself! I like to travel and see a bigger world.
Crying as I read this… I’m in a tough place right now with anxiety, and feel my world is becoming smaller and smaller as I become too afraid to do the things I know I enjoy. Sometimes looking outside my own mind can be something as small as imagining the face of someone I love…
Thank you. Yes, when I am in a tough situation, I like to do anything that moves me out of my small world. Anything.
I really liked this because of so many changes going on in my life. At first I was frightened and frozen. Now I am polishing myself up, removing the negative as much as possible by bringing in as much positive as I can. For example, I used to play piano fairly well (for a lay person) but illness has brought that to a halt to the point where I am afraid to play. SO, I AM TAKING PIANO LESSONS. My teacher is a marvelous drill sergeant (I exaggerate) who has me on difficult exercises only. She makes me focus away from myself. It is only one of many things that I am doing for my physical and spiritual health as I am going it pretty much alone (with a roommate to whom I happen to be married). There are reasons.
This came along at precisely the just right time for me! Thank you!
Thanks! It's always relevant to me.
Yes, the smallest things - even just opening the blinds and letting the sun shine in and gazing out the window, or stepping outside and looking at the nearest tree can help. Then we do another small thing, and another. Fortunately, we can always call ourselves a beginner and begin again. Of course, we could also mercilessly beat ourselves up - which the "primal mind" or "reptilian brain" prefers to do - aiming to keep us in a negative loop, addicted to downer thoughts.
It's exactly one little thing after another. Nothing big. Just moving. Thanks, Adrian!
I always love your posts. Always wise words!
Love Chesterton too .
Thank you!!
Thanks, Joanna!
Thanks, Adrian!
So very true.
Thank you for this. The right words at the right time.
Glad you liked it!
Yesterday, I had a long day of driving through the desert and then through heavy traffic in 106 degree heat. I had just read the post on the Grand Canyon in the morning before I left and as I drove, I applied some of the thoughts I read about the Canyon to the vast blue sky filled with billowing clouds. I thought of the sky as a mirror of the infinite possibilities God, our Father, holds within himself and for us. Reflecting on the sky broke me out of the tedium of my own looping thought patterns. I greatly appreciate your posts, which, to me, feel like bright, clear windows, looking out of the closed circle.
Thanks, Jill! It's very encouraging.