Moment of Bliss
This morning, like most mornings, I poured a cup of coffee (decaf, of course) and went out onto my balcony to see the world. As I was standing there, a tiny hummingbird came to get breakfast at the feeder I put out. Talk about a fascinating bird, these guys are so small, I wonder how they survive! And how the heck do they get their little wings to move so fast I can't even see them - they're just a blur!
As I was quietly observing this cute little creature getting its fill of sweet nectar, I noticed that directly in my line of sight, off in the distance over the lake, was a majestic, glorious eagle soaring effortlessly on an updraft. I see these graceful giants often and wish I was closer to them. Eagles are so magnificent (to me, anyway) that watching one brings out an emotional response almost like, I don't know, maybe seeing my favorite singer or band live.
The total contrast between the tiny hummingbird, with a blur of wings as it finished and darted away, and the huge eagle flying endlessly in circles without moving its wings at all while it eyed the lake looking for its next meal, was absolutely astounding. This was a view of evolution at its very best! A true moment of bliss for me.
Thinking back to that moment, I realize I didn't even hear the sound of traffic that's always there. I wasn't thinking about my day, my problems or my stresses. I was totally focused on the gift of seeing these two birds living their lives. Simply.
Gratitude vs Fear
I was also experiencing a moment of gratitude that I'll try to carry with me through the day.
Are there those moments in your life that can take you completely out of your head? Moments when without even thinking about it you feel gratitude for life and the world around you? I hope so.
When you're feeling grateful for life, you don't feel stress and anxiety. Feeling and acknowledging your gratitude brings peace to you, a feeling of well-being. Learn to notice these moments and appreciate them.
Wallow in them when they present themselves to you. And practice remembering them throughout the day. Maybe go through your day describing them to others, this will keep them fresh in your mind and you'll feel that feeling all over again many times.
Remember that gratitude and fear don't co-exist very well. Beauty and anxiety don't get along. "Thank you" and "woe-is-me" can't share the same breath. Learn to notice the beauty of nature and focus on it, practice saying a silent (or not silent, if you want) "thank you" when you see, hear, touch, smell or taste something blissful and watch as your thinking starts to become more positive and your anxiety fades.
To Your recovery,
Owen
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This is an excellent suggestion!!
ReplyDeleteI have tried it a couple of times, but over time, sometimes, these relief agents could themselves turn out to be stress causing agents, which is happening with me right now!
I like some people very much and parting them has caused a lot of anxiety for me. So, whatever I used to enjoy with them, say talking about an awesome book or a trip... when I later think about that awesome book or trip (which earlier used to cause positive emotions), it causes anxiety for me, cos I relate them to that person whom I have parted...
Any solution for the same?
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI think it probably comes down to what you tell yourself when you think of the people you enjoy. Your self-talk. If your mindset is one of scarcity, for example, you'll be feeling the loss of that person more because you're not thinking you have lots of friends. Or you're thinking you won't be able to replace that person in your life.
If, instead, you think about all the good and enjoyable people you've had in your life, you'll easily realize there's an endless supply. Then look forward to that next great conversation about a book or trip with someone new. Or maybe you could work on staying in contact with the people you like more.
When it comes to anxiety problems, the Law of Attraction is very applicable: what you focus on - whether positive or negative - is what you're going to get. Focus on the positive aspects of your life and you'll get more of it. Have faith that you'll always have people in your life to talk to and you will.
Owen