AJ's Response:
You are right, these are very troubled times in
human history. A fact that we all have to face, deal
and cope with somehow.
For me it all starts with the Serenity Prayer.
Specifically, "God grant me the serenity to accept the
things I cannot change". That said, however, we should
not be hestiant to do what we can as individuals to
put forward our beliefs, concerns and convictions.
Each individual has choices to make. We are not
ultimately the ones who can decide whether or not war
happens or change or effect what terrorists are destined
to do but we can march in peace rallies we can write to
our government officials and make our views known. If
every single person would do their own little part we
may then have some "power" to effect change and peace.
While world events can easily leave us feeling like
victims, or triggered back to feeling this way it is up
to each of us to empower ourselves in our everyday lives
by just doing the best we can and focusing on that over
which we have control. We have control over our choices.
Make a choice not to dwell on the "what-if's". Instead
focus on what you have to do in your day.
In whatever way you experience and practice your
spiritual beliefs, observe those and put your best
wishes for our world out there to the universe. Faith
can move mountains.
Take a deep breath. Surrender to that which you
cannot control. Don't lose precious time today or any
other day worrying about what is going to happen
when you can't control that. Control what you can in
your own life. Stick to your routine. Seize the day each
and every day.
Our world is troubled. Danger is everywhere. The news
is sensationalizing the already huge and sensational. It is
all one-sided. It is "doom and gloom" and full of "what-if"
scenarios. Realize that there is still much that is positive
and wonderful going on in our troubled world. The world
has undergone many very difficult and explosive times in the
past.
Bring your day down to your life and what you can and
can't do. Start there. Make use of relaxation tapes, don't
focus on the news. Be mindful of any precautions and so forth
but then get on with your own life. Separate your world from
the world at large.
There are many good books on anxiety in general. But I
would like to add here that what you feel, anxiety and fear
and stress is not "abnormal" in this day and age at all and
is shared by many many people.
Each of us just has to get on with the business of living
our lives. If you cannot re-focus and gain some time from
feeling very stressed you'd be wise to contact a professional
for help in dealing with your stress.
These are indeed stresseful times for all of us, however,
so don't feel alone.
This response is © A.J. Mahari, February 2003
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