To say the human race has undergone a shift in 2020 would probably be an understatement.  Many of us went from having hectic schedules to having no schedule and for others if at all possible, the schedule became more inundated.  Futures that seemed once secure and well thought out have vanished or at least become more tenuous.  There has been upheaval no matter your geographic location or your socioeconomic status.  Things are different.  Life is different.

Understandably, all this change has lead to a lot of uncertainty.  For me, I like to think I have control over events in my life, at least a bit, and when this supposed control is no longer apparent my survival instincts come to the fore with different coping mechanisms becoming the pattern of my thinking.  One of those patterns for me is worry.  

By worrying I feel like have reinstated my control as I am doing something.   It doesn’t matter that worrying accomplishes nothing because my primitive brain that fights for survival feels better believing it is doing something.  The truth is, this is an illusion, and nothing is being accomplished.  I have not gained control over the situation nor have I improved the circumstances.  What I have learned, however, is that worrying can be useful as a warning that something needs to be addressed, fixed or changed.  The challenge for me has become to not let it become the conductor of my life but rather a guide.  

I have learned that once I recognize worry has to taken over my storyline instead of pushing it away or denying it, I take a step back from it and observe.  Then I ask it what it is trying to convey.   What is the underlying problem my fixated thoughts have identified?  What danger is it trying to caution me about? Am I able to take action to prevent the undesired outcome and if not what is the worst thing that will happen?  Then, like a loving parent I embrace the fears with comforting words.  I focus on the solution and the steps to achieve the desired outcome or acknowledge that perhaps there is nothing I can do and worrying will accomplish nothing but waste my energy and steal my joy of the present moment.

Taking these steps has been transformative for me and surprisingly, embracing the fear underlying the worry helps to diminish its strength, even when there is nothing I can actually do to change a situation.  And by accepting the things I cannot change and taking action for those I can,  I take back my power from worry.  Because it is today, this moment that matters.  It is only today, this moment that exists and will always exist.  To worry about a future that has yet to come and may never be is an exercise in futility. 

Wishing you dear friend much compassion in embracing your fears and taking back your power from worry on your heartfelt journey. ~♥~