Anxiety makes the world go round

All of us experience anxiety and fear. This is not a unique experience, it is one of the basic tenets of being alive. Initially, when we are young, these emotions wash over us in uncontrollable waves — threatening to push us to the very limits of our endurance. We learn as we age, however, that we can withstand these storms through prayer and reflection.

At some point in our emotional development, we sense the preciousness of life, my life that is. It is one of the “coming of age” experiences — much like our first dance or finishing high school. This stays with us forever. If we fail to have this signature moment — we don’t realize we are truly alive, for example — we will forever exist in a state of immaturity. All of our decisions in adulthood will be crude or undeveloped.

How then does one proceed in the seasons of existence and control the continuous series of personal crises and catastrophes? This is an interesting query, for even posing the question already posits a certain understanding of mortal existence. The rosy-cheeked fantasia that the Internet presents is not in any way the reality that human beings face. Life is hard and it is difficult to find one’s meaning and success. This can only be realized by the sublime effort of faith and devotion to my mission. But, what is my mission?

The struggles of consciousness cannot simply be dismissed away. How does the individual find the time or wherewithal to probe the inner recesses of his soul or being to hear that inner voice — a voice calling forth a higher purpose in life?

I feel that the only solution is to realize that the answer does exist for each of us. It is found in a state of natural calm. It may be that, much like the eye of a storm, it is but a hurried instant that is quickly snatched away. But, it is still there. It does exist. You can catch this piece of time by simply stopping whatever you are doing, and reflecting on the moment. It will produce a momentary pause from the disquietude of daily life.

A portal will thus be opened to a connection with God, Gaia, or the Universe. All answers lie within. This is but a universal truth. (1) In this way, one’s journey will be displayed and our anxiety understood. Soren Kierkegaard leaves us with a thought: Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom. (2)

A closing thought: Each of us must spend the necessary efforts to discover or, rather, uncover who we are in the world and find a way to manage that being. It is all very possible, but not straightforward. Unhappiness, as a state, is very easy to achieve — simply do nothing — but happiness much harder because it requires inner analysis and work. Fortunately, the path before us has been well-trodden by our ancestors. As Socrates tells us, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” (3)

To sum up: This week, we spoke about how to deal with anxiety.

To be noted: From Marcus Aurelius (4) — Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.

Just for fun: