|
ANXIETMENT
I am sitting in the family waiting area for surgical
patients at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. My husband is in surgery. He
is getting a new, updated model for his left hip joint.
I must say I have lots of energy moving - also known
as emotions - energy in motion. I have named this particular movement of
energy 'anxietment'. It's a combo package, part anxiety - part excitement.
Depending where I place my focus I can feel scared
about the possible risks of surgery - or i can get excited about the
possible/probable outcome - complete recovery and restored function to the
joint - and a partner with whom I can learn to dance the tango.
Clearly where I place my focus determines my
experience in the moment. And since I'd rather win in my own fantasies,
and the future is still undetermined, I'd rather place my focus on the
best possible outcome. See me guided backwards along the dance floor, held
firmly in my partner's arms, surrendering to his lead.
Whenever we involve ourselves in a change process -
we are vulnerable to the experience of anxietment. Change is a process of
moving from where we are to where we want to be. That goal is outside our
comfort zone, the zone of the familiar. To get there we must leave our
comfort zone = discomfort.
Once we step outside our comfort zone the body
begins to send us extra energy so that we can pay attention and be alert
as we move forward into uncharted territory. This energy is neutral. It's
what we do with the energy that determines the experience we have. If I
focus on the negative possibilities I will scare myself, contract my body,
and limit my breathing. This is often experienced as anxiety or fear.
If on the other hand I begin to feel that energy
moving and I focus on moving my body and keeping my breath full, while
concentrating on a successful outcome, I will find myself excited.
I for one can move back and forth between the two,
thus my familiarity with anxietment. Anxietment is a common occurrence
when we have stepped outside our comfort zone. The best way to deal with
it is to first of all recognize it, and name it. That in itself shifts it
for me. Go ahead - say the word aloud. It's fun. I'm feeling anxietment.
Now, shift again, take a breath, and say - I'm excited because ____ !
Go ahead, now channel your excitement into actions
that support the result you are wanting.
The doctor just checked in with me. The surgery was
a success! I can hear the music playing. Tango anyone?
QUOTES
"Fear is excitement without the
breath."
~ Fritz Pearls ~
"Anxiety and fear produce energy. Where we
focus that energy noticeably affects the quality of our lives."
~ Walter Anderson ~
REQUEST
I am writing a book on forgiveness. If you would
like to contribute you can do one or both of two things:
- ask me any questions you might have about
forgiveness, what is it, how to do it, why do it.....
- send me any story you may have about how
forgiveness, forgiving yourself or another has changed your life, even
in small ways.
Once I have received your questions or story I will
send you a link - and you can hear the audio of the interview I did on the
topic of forgiveness. The interview is part of a bonus offering to a
wonderful book "How To
Heal Your Broken Heart After a Relationship Break Up or Divorce"
PRACTICALLY SPEAKING:
- Pay attention when you notice energy moving in
your belly area. Often this is experienced as butterflies.
- See if you can track the movement to something
that happened -or is going to happen.
- Ask yourself what meaning you are putting on the
event - past or present.
- Notice if the meaning you put on the event is
triggering contraction or expansion
- What can you do to shift? Can you change the
meaning you associated with the occurrence? Can you shift your
breathing into full belly breaths? Can you take a walk or dance around
the living room?
- What do you want to occur? What is wild success
for you?
- Remind yourself that success is a process and
keep breathing and taking action until you reach your goal.
WONDER QUESTIONS:
- Are you willing to feel your feelings fully so
you can harness the energy that is moving through your body to serve
your intended outcome?
- Are you willing to dance with your anxietment?
- Are you willing to have fun along the way?
QUICK LINKS:
COPYRIGHT/CONTACT INFO/REPRINT PERMISSION
Copyright 2006 by Leslie Karen Sann, Living by Design
Visit this link for contact information:
leslie@living-bydesign.com
Reprint permission granted in part or whole when the following credit appears in full:
Copyright 2006 by Leslie Karen Sann,
Living by Design.All rights reserved.
Web site. http://www.living-bydesign.com
|
