Balance
Annapolis Royal Gardens 2024
“You don’t have to control your thoughts. You just have to stop letting them control you.” —Dan Millman
While I typically steer away from writing about politics, the recent election south of the border and the ongoing events in Ukraine and the Middle East have inspired me to reflect on the importance of addressing my anxiety.
Anxious tension exists within individuals, families, communities, and countries. This weekend is American Thanksgiving, and there are too many stories of families not coming together because of significant differences in opinions on how the government should be managed.
We seem to be splintering into tribes more than ever.
The flip side of anxiety is calm and confidence, where we feel secure and capable of handling life’s uncertainties. The question is how to get there. Anxiety often arises from a desire to feel safe and secure. As Plato said, “Courage is knowing what not to fear.”
The Venn diagram below brings clarity and acts as a helpful reminder.
I love Venn diagrams
There is no greater wealth in this world than peace of mind. Ralph Waldo Emerson reminds us, "Nothing external to you has any power over you.”
The other side of anxiety is resilience. Facing and overcoming difficulties cultivates persistence and resilience, especially when we have meaningful relationships and an awareness of self-care. I love this wisdom; "Do not pray for an easy life; pray for the strength to endure a difficult one." - Bruce Lee.
Instead of being paralyzed or avoiding the unknown, I try to get curious. For example, why is it this way? What can I control in this situation?
I don't always succeed, but I try to be nonjudgmental and willing to explore all possibilities. This is hard to do if you are used to your brain being in charge of your biases. The discipline, of course, is to capture every thought, pray/release it/ and or breathe deeply. All three work great together. Then, I think about these words by American biomedical engineer and science fiction writer Larry Eisenberg, "For peace of mind, we need to resign as general manager of the universe.”
However, anxiety doesn't have to be a negative; it also has positive attributes.
Anxiety can serve as a natural motivator, pushing us to take action and meet deadlines; for example, I have mild anxiety about getting this newsletter out on time, and it motivates me to pick away at it all week. With a heightened awareness and focus, anxiety helps me notice ideal content and also helps me anticipate potential problems.
T.S. Eliot’s quote, “Anxiety is the handmaiden of creativity,” suggests that anxiety and creativity are closely linked.
Creative individuals often channel this tension into their work, transforming inner turmoil into art, writing, music, or other forms of expression. Anxiety pushes boundaries, challenges comfort zones, and drives the quest for solutions, innovation, and meaning.
(Be sure to watch the video linked below. You can feel his creative angst.)
Inner peace begins when you choose not to allow another person or event to control your emotions. It comes from within and is cultivated through prayer and self-awareness. It is rooted in self-acceptance and resilience to external changes. Balancing hope, preparation, and acceptance enables navigating uncertainty, but it can be tough on some days.
This week, I listened to Krista Tippett’s interview with Joan Baez. Joan said, “Live in denial 95% of the time so you can breathe and have a life, and then 5% of the time, go make some good trouble and go do stuff.”
It’s an intriguing perspective that invites us to reflect on how we balance action and rest in our lives. Speaking of timeless wisdom, regardless of your spiritual beliefs, the Bible is one of history’s most profound sources of insight. In contrast, it’s true that many have misused its teachings to serve their own biases. This verse beautifully offers enduring truth and captures the heart of anxiety, providing wisdom that speaks to people from all walks of life.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” - John 14:27
Inspirations
More Inspiring Things…
Human Behaviour: Hair Contest, now accepting applications: Check it out; it is so cool and looks like a lot of fun. Click Here to View
Design & Travel: I love trains. If you need valets, please don't hesitate to let us know. Click Here to View.
Listening: On Being podcast. Joan Baez and Krista Tippet. It is a fascinating interview.
