Toward a Less Anxiious Presence (part 1)

Stress can cause anxiety; anxiety can cause stress, so we worry about our stress and anxiety which makes our stress and anxiety worse. It becomes an self-influencing loop that we want to break. Anxiety has its place. It is a God-created as a part of how we operate. Anxiety lets us know that we need to be careful, cautious, deliberate, etc. Example: anxiety about tomorrow’s presentation motivates preparation. There is our DNA factor. Some folks are “wired,” and/or perhaps they were nurtured with low anxiety. They are those we think of as “laid back.” Other folks are wired and/or nurtured with high anxiety. They are those we think of as “high strung.” There is eustress and distress. Eustress is that stress that motivates us to our best. Distress is the stress that gets in our way and motivates us to procrastinate, example, fear that we won’t be thought perfect. Usually the underlying energy or motivation for anxiety is fear. So, what is your anxiety trying to tell you about yourself? What are you afraid might happen? How might you handle that fearful situation if it happens? Facing one’s fears is an excellent prescription for dealing with anxiety.