Fear and anxiety. Can't they just grab us by the throat and hold on for dear life? This has always been true. But these days with news 24/7 (much of it bad) and information coming at us from every direction, it's easy to get caught up in fear, anxiety and anger. There's so much "out there" to threaten our peace and well-being as we try to stay ahead of health issues, economic downfall, job insecurity, relationship problems and all the other things we fear.
It's important to not let those fears and that anxiety run away with us. I really like what educator and author Parker J. Palmer has to say: "I will always have fears, but I need not be my fears, for I have other places within myself from which to speak and act."
Isn't that a good reminder? Indeed, we do have other places inside from which to act. Places of grace. Places of deep joy and happiness. Places of gratitude. Places of serenity, of trust and of peace. But it takes intentionality to go to those places rather than take the path of least resistance—to fear.
Remember that when fear gets its grip on you next time. Take a couple really deep breaths—and think about those other places inside from which you can speak and act. And make a choice to go there instead.
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