LoveMeNow

Friday, April 12, 2013

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go

Letting Go of Fear

Picture yourself swimming floating - peacefully down a gentle stream. All you need to do is breathe, relax, and go with the flow.

Suddenly, you become conscious of your situation. Frightened, overwhelmed with "what if's?" your body tenses. You begin to thrash around, frantically looking for something to grab on to.

You panic so hard you start to go under. Then you remember - you're working too hard at this. You don't need to panic. All you need to do is breathe, relax, and go with the flow. You won't drown.

Panic is our great enemy.

We don't need to become desperate. If overwhelming problems appear in our life, we need to stop struggling. We can tread water for a bit, until our equilibrium returns. Then we can go back to floating peacefully down the gentle stream. It is our stream. It is a safe stream. Our course has been charted. All is well.

Today, I will relax, breathe, and go with the flow.

bluebelle

Very true. Panic never gets me anywhere. It just makes the situation that much worse. I saw a special on Navy Seals, and they said that was the number one thing--stay calm. I've been in a few somewhat dangerous situations while hiking. I started to panic, but realized that it would do me no good, except make me sick. I found it extremely helpful to sing Amazing Grace--over and over again. It makes sense that this applies to all of our life--not just getting lost in the woods. I think I'm getting better about stopping myself when panic starts in about one of the addicts in my life. It is easier for me to stop that pattern of panic becoming more panic. Thanks for sharing!

Anaya

Good for you. I have finally gotten to the point where panic (panic attacks, waking up in panic, etc.) is not a regular part of my life. I am able to manage better and deal with my life and challenges I now face, and feel I have some hope. One day at a time.