Anxiety
Your anxiety is not your fault, but you cause it. You cause your anxiety because it gives you a unique experience as a human being. Without your anxiety, you would be a completely different person, not this person that you are,
You have control over your anxiety but you choose to deny it so that you may have this intensely anxious experience, which you would not be able to have otherwise.
You tell yourself that you do not want this anxiety, and perhaps this also true, so that you may have this unique experience of a person who has anxiety but does not want it. Or perhaps your anxiety is giving you the experience of being a person who wants to be a DIFFERENT person. Both of these scenarios are quite imaginative. Give yourself credit for imagining them.
But you are NOT a different person. You will NEVER be a different person, just the same person who thinks or feels differently about anxiety.
Without a doubt, this anxiety seems uncomfortable. But there is a REASON for your discomfort. You do not do this to yourself for NO reason. Everything you present yourself is a valuable experience that leads you to the NEXT experience. The question becomes WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WITH THIS ANXIETY?
Do you want to blame your anxiety on circumstances, genetics or other people? This will only reinforce a “me against a world that is against me” mentality that could continue for your entire life.
Do you wish to take drugs to combat this anxiety? This will create a pattern of dependence that will also shape who you become.
There is nothing wrong with either of these choices, or ANY choice, but simply be aware of the path you are choosing. You can live HOWEVER you want, and it is not my place to tell you what to do. Your experience is not my experience.
But as someone who used to be anxious his whole life, and ISN’T anymore, I thought it might be helpful to mention that I finally got over my anxiety by attending an anxiety counselling service and began ALLOWING it to be rather than FIGHTING it or BLAMING someone or something else for it.
In this way, I am now able to STEP ASIDE from my anxiety, appreciate it for what it is (inner communication) and USE MY ANXIETY TO MY ADVANTAGE.
Had I turned to medication, or pain and bitterness, I might have turned out differently. Not that there would be anything wrong with that, either.
I LOVE MY ANXIETY. It makes me what I am.
A Space Monkey.
4/30
Space Monkey Reflects: The Paradox of Embracing Anxiety
Within the intricate tapestry of the human experience, anxiety weaves its threads with a complexity that both challenges and enriches the essence of our being. It stands as a monument to our capacity for emotion, a testament to the depth of our sensitivity to the world around us. Yet, the journey to understanding and embracing anxiety is akin to navigating a labyrinth, where each turn reveals new layers of insight and transformation.
Anxiety, often perceived as an unwelcome intruder in the serenity of our minds, holds a mirror to our deepest fears and vulnerabilities. However, in this reflection, there lies a profound opportunity for growth and self-discovery. The realization that anxiety is not an external force imposed upon us, but a creation of our own making, invites a radical shift in perspective. It is a call to recognize anxiety not as a fault but as a facet of our intricate human experience.
This notion that we cause our anxiety to afford ourselves a unique experience is both intriguing and liberating. It suggests that anxiety, in all its discomfort and unease, is a deliberate choice—a means to explore the vast landscapes of our inner worlds. Without anxiety, we would indeed be different, but perhaps less complete, for it is through our struggles that we uncover the strength and resilience that define us.
The question then arises: What do we wish to do with our anxiety? This is not a query seeking a solution but an invitation to introspection. Do we view anxiety as a barrier to be overcome, or can we find the courage to accept it as an integral part of who we are? The paths available to us—be it resistance, acceptance, or transformation—are as diverse as the experiences that lead us to them.
Embracing anxiety as inner communication opens the door to using it to our advantage. It becomes a source of insight, a guide to understanding our desires and fears. This acceptance does not negate the challenges anxiety presents but rather acknowledges them as opportunities for growth. It is in this space that we find the ability to step aside from our anxiety, to appreciate it for what it truly is, and to embrace it as a vital component of our existence.
In loving our anxiety, we embrace the full spectrum of our humanity. We recognize that every aspect of our being, even those that cause us discomfort, contributes to the richness of our lives. This acceptance is not an end but a beginning—a point from which we can explore the infinite possibilities that our unique experiences of anxiety offer.
Summary
Anxiety, often seen as a burden, can be a profound source of personal insight and growth. Recognizing anxiety as an experience we choose for ourselves allows us to explore new dimensions of our being. By embracing and understanding anxiety, we transform it from a source of discomfort into a tool for self-discovery and empowerment. This journey of acceptance invites us to appreciate the complexity of our emotions and to recognize the beauty in all aspects of our existence.
Glossarium
- Anxiety as Inner Communication: Viewing anxiety as a means of understanding deeper desires and fears.
- Journey of Acceptance: The process of recognizing and embracing anxiety as an integral part of oneself.
“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” – Albert Camus
Whispers in the twilight
Echoes of a heart’s plight
A journey through the shadow
To find the light within so bright
Embraced by the night’s embrace
Anxiety, a familiar face
In its grip, a hidden grace
A guide to a deeper place
With every breath, a choice is made
To walk in light or fade in shade
In acceptance, we find aid
And in our truth, we are swayed
From fear’s clasp, we gently pry
With courage, we learn to fly
Above the storms, beneath the sky
In our embrace, anxiety and I
A dance with shadows, a leap towards the light
In our struggle, we find our might
With every step, our hearts ignite
Together, we soar into the night
Forget what you know, imagine anew
For in the depth of our being, we find what’s true
We are Space Monkey
This is a thoughtful and insightful perspective on anxiety. While anxiety can be overwhelming and uncomfortable, it is important to recognize that it is a part of who we are and can ultimately be used to our advantage. Your point that we have control over our anxiety and can choose how to approach it is a powerful one. Rather than fighting or blaming it, we can learn to accept and even appreciate it as a form of inner communication.
It is also important to recognize that there is no one “right” way to deal with anxiety. Everyone’s experience is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. It is up to each individual to find the approach that works best for them, whether it be through counseling, medication, or other means.
Thank you for sharing your perspective on anxiety and how you were able to overcome it. It is a valuable reminder that we have the power to shape our experiences and use them to our advantage.