LETTER
Welcoming Fear and Anxiety Back Into My Life
Remembering to stay open to, rather than resist, difficult emotions.
Hi,
This week I welcomed two old companions back into my life.
Their names are fear and anxiety :)
They never left my life. They’re always with me. This week they felt stronger than usual.
My journal entries on the days they felt strongest reminded me to stay open to these difficult emotions. Taking the time to journal reminded me to not close down to them.
Closing down is my instinctive response to difficult emotions.
My meditation practice helped me do this. I sit with these emotions during meditation. This helps me be with them during the day.
I wrote this brief poem to these friends too.
Then Facebook reminded me about this sketch I drew a year ago -
The sketch feels relevant today. The emotions are the same.
So what’s different?
I’ve learned healthier ways to work with the difficult emotions. I’ve become more comfortable with uncertainty. The spot marked “present” is different today too.
I feel like today “the present” is more aligned with my true self. I feel this alignment in my personal and professional life.
Just Rolling with It has made this possible. And for that I feel grateful today, as the week winds to a close.
May the weekend be a restful and restorative one for you.
Keep on Just Rolling with It ;)
Chris
P.S. — I filmed an episode of the Just Rolling with It video podcast on a day I experienced strong anxiety. You can watch that episode here.
Books I’m Reading…
The Bodhisattva Path of Wisdom and Compassion, by Chogyam Trungpa
Music I’m Listening To…
Club Classics — Past Present Future by DJ Kervyn Mark
Podcast I Listened to Recently…
Maria Popova — Cartographer of Meaning via the OnBeing Podcast
