“Anxiety is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained.” Arthur Somers Roche wrote this, but Bob Proctor shared it in his Six Minutes to Success series. I spent some time thinking about it today.
Wow! When I let anxiety take over, all other thoughts drain away. I become totally immobilized. That’s powerful–especially since I gave anxiety the power to do that to me. I encouraged it, as Roche said.
Thankfully, there is an antidote to anxiety. It’s gratitude. Gratitude is the opposite of Anxiety. I won’t feel anxiety if I am busy feeling grateful.
In The Science of Getting Rich, Wallace Wattles writes, “The entire process of mental adjustment and atonement can be summed up in one word–gratitude.”
This idea goes back at least as far as the 1st Century AD. Paul wrote to his friends in Macedonia, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6, 7 NASB) He wrote this from a Roman prison. If anyone had a reason for anxiety, he did. Yet, his writings are full of hope and gratitude.
This concept is also taught in many 12 Step groups. Participants are encouraged to keep a Gratitude Journal to remind themselves of the good things in their lives. It’s a good idea for everyone. Our minds just can’t hold two opposing thoughts at the same time. We cannot be worrying and grateful simutaneously.
Our world is Beautiful
Give it a try and see. Let me get you started….1) I am grateful that I know how to read; 2) I am grateful that I can take in breath and my eyes and brain are functioning; 3) I am grateful that I have access to a computer; 4) I am grateful for the beauty around me…
I guarantee that 10 minutes each evening spent in listing things you are grateful for will help you sleep better and awaken to a more positive outlook.
Repeat the exercise in the morning, and you will set yourself up for a wonderful day. It sure works for me.
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