there is no end to the anxious mind
there is no end to the anxious mind
it takes you to the darkness
to the scary side of your imagination
it swallows you into the terrors only nightmares are made of
the chest is tight
the brow furrowed
each sound causes a startling twitch
a gasp and a shock
the veins race with agitated blood
fluid starved for oxygen
eating away at happiness and peace
the anxious mind
there is no end to it
unitl
you learn to breathe
pause
take a breath
one deep, into the lungs
filling them completely
and another
deep breath
into the fullness of your being
breathing into the root of your soul
feeding the neglected, disrupted organs
that have clung, for years, to what little air you could take in
expand the chest, the body
feel the freedom inside
let loose the shoulders
breathe into being your existance
release the anxious mind from the overwhelming, spinning
thoughts that have chased you in circles for a lifetime
there is an end
and a beginning
breathe
Self-Guided Workshop: Shifting the mind ~ Working with anxiety, worry, overwhelm, stress, fear
Find yourself in a comfortable, cozy, resting position…in a safe, quiet, and still environment for this 14 minute practice.
You may like to have something to write with and on before you begin.
How to become aware of and leg go of anxiety…spotting and shifting from it, one breath at a time.
Allow your discontent with the experiencing of negative emotions to fuel your obsession with steadying your mind, body, and spirit and your ability to create “something else” – be it a different emotion or feeling, sensation, a new project, a better relationship with yourself and your family, your children…the menu of options are endless.
The ability and power to transform your
anxiety, worry, fear, overwhelm, stress
into peace already exists within you.
Making the shifts…
STEP ONE
The first step for transforming your anxiety to peace is to become aware of the negative emotion / sensation…which may include identifying patterns of…
feeling
thought
sensation
environment
how the body feels
STEP TWO
The second step is choosing to press pause on the negative emotion / thought / sensation pattern by breathing…centering and grounding yourself.
Find a quiet place for you to just be for a few moments.
Notice, observe, bring attention to your breathing.
Notice, observe, bring attention to your body…how you are physically connected to the earth.
Consider repeating a prayer, mantra, or a simple intention, such as “I am calm” or “I am present” or “I am connected” to begin to shift your negative patterns of thought, feeling, sensation.
STEP THREE
Consider movement…if you can physically move your body, do so! A little walk, a few yoga poses, some dance, a run, a swim, or a bike ride…moving the body helps move out the negative, it assists the mind with the shifting, the transformation of negative emotion states.
STEP FOUR
Stay proactive…the more you practice, the easier and quicker it becomes to shift from states of anxiety to states of peace.
When you notice you are feeling a negative state of emotion or sensation in your body, make note of it…write it down, tag it in your memory. These are patterns. When you are familiar and friendly with your patterns, the faster you will notice the tiniest tingling of discomfort, which then allows you to shift towards peace, joy, contentment, etc…before anxiety and its partners seep in and take hold.
Journaling Prompts
Describe your general experience of anxiety and its partners: overwhelm, worry, fear, stress.
Use a recent example of your experience of one of these feelings.
Perhaps you even close your eyes and see what details you can recall from the experience…then write from there.
This exercise is meant to help you begin to identify your patterns. You could just as easily write about your experience of peace, joy, contentment…and maybe you’d like to do that instead!
What was happening when you noticed the feeling (and you may only just be realizing this in hindsight).
Where were you?
Who were you with?
What time was it…day of the week, hour?
Describe how your body felt during this experience.
Where, in your body, did you feel this emotion, sensation?
Describe how the energy felt inside your body.
Did it travel from place to place, or did it stay put?
Can you pinpoint the exact moment when the sensation arrived in your body, and when it left? If not, how did you first become aware of the emotion and accompanying sensation(s)?
What was your breath doing while you felt this emotion and physical sensation?
Consider the whole space of your body where you experience breath…your lungs, heart, chest…your body’s expansion, contraction, tension, tightness…
Were you able to shift into a more pleasant state…perhaps one of happiness, contentment, peace? And if not, perhaps you found a way to be indifferent towards the experience.
How did you notice the shift took place?
What was different?
What positive emotion states do you prefer…which ones would you like to find yourself manifesting in your daily life?
What can you do to place yourself on a daily mindfulness pattern where the thoughts, emotions, and sensations you desire are the ones you regularly experience? (Hint: Practice Steps 1-4 each day!)
Draw a picture, paint, or write a poem…do something creative to show what this negative (and/or positive!) emotion and physical sensation felt like to you, either during the experience, or now, as you are here in the moment recalling the memory.
Experience a deeper, more personal journey from anxiety to peace…
There are two ways to explore Fear and Musings: A Journey from Anxiety to Peace Through Poetry, Prayer, and Practice…
ONE: The Book
TWO: The Online Companion
Here’s a screenshot of a portion of what you will see when you register for the Fear and Musings Online Companion.
The Fear and Musings Online Companion portal is a place where you can…
listen to poetry, prayers, and practices from the book
explore your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations
develop self-awareness
find peace, serenity, contentment, surrender
dive into your creative self through prompts, activities, and exercises
join a community of other Fear and Musings members…anxiety experiencers, peace seekers, and creative souls
The Fear and Musings Online Companion
made for…
anxiety experiencers
peace seekers and
creative souls
Join the Fear and Musings Online Companion now!
This month only ~ April 2025 ~ to celebrate Poetry Month, you have access to the lowest price offering…
Use your Substack subscriber coupon to secure a 50% off discount with code (in all caps): APRIL25
Be sure to register soon…the code expires Wednesday, April 30th at 11:59pm.
Get instant access once you register AND download the Sutra Spaces app from the App Store so you can access the entire program right from your phone!
Final thoughts…
Thanks so much for being here! I look forward to bringing you more poetry, self-guided workshops, offerings that bring you peace and inspire you to create the life you desire for yourself and your loved ones.
If you’d like to book a 30 minute, complimentary “looking session” to dive deeper into the mindset you’re craving - one of peace over anxiety - please book here!
Until next week…
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