The Cure for Anxiety

“I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord; but the married man is anxious about the affairs of the world, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried woman and the virgin are anxious about the affairs of the Lord, so that they may be holy in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about the affairs of the world, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to put any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and unhindered devotion to the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 7:32-40 NRSV*)

For the past two weeks I haven’t bought or read a newspaper.

In addition, I’ve noticed that the even though I have watched the evening news. the evening news is nothing like it used to be back in the days of Walter Chronkite. Those were the days when people waited for him to report the news. Today’s evening news broadcasts are more often than not

     a snippet here
     a blip there
     about some momentous world event followed by
    “Made in America”
     “Person of the week”
     or
     some other unusual or insipid something.

My point is: I’ve missed most of the earth-shattering AND nutso news these past several weeks. And I haven’t missed much because I’ve also noticed that when I do pay close attention to the news...

     The Republican Debates lately, for instance
     The Political Advertisements - info-mercials - on TV
     The occasional “Congress has us by the ... again.... “ we might default

I find myself yelling into thin air and at whomever I happen to be with.

     Damn poltiicians!
     What’s the matter with them?
     Aren’t they HEARING THE PUBLIC?
     FIRE THEM ALL.

I have never been so anxious, or at least angry and expressive about some of the news out there, especially news involving congress and politicos, as I have been of late.

What good does it do to be anxious?

What good does it do to yell at the TV or radio or newspaper?

What good does anxiety do about anything that comes along in our lives,
     sickness or health,
     poverty or wealth
     evil or good

What good does it do to be anxious? (Unless you’re being chased by a grizzly bear in the forest and then that’s not anxious! That’s adrenaline and will to survive!)

I know from my Massage Therapy Training, Spiritual Director Training, and just plain living life that one of the best things a person can do for themselves is to… Stop!
     Smell the roses!
     Listen to the air and hum of the earth.
     Breathe deep in life
     Focus on one's breath
        and
     let all anxiousness dissipate.

I have often said to a friend of mine who can easily go ballistic, “breath deeply.” “Focus on your breathing.” “When your mind wanders, come back to thinking about and focusing on your breathing.”

It works. It is called mindfulness. It is called meditation. Ommmmm, if you must. But Breathe!

Goldie Hawn has just written a book called “Ten Mindful Minutes” for children and adults. Doctors have recently discovered that it is a good practice to prescribe meditation, for their patients. It often avoids drugs.

Paul’s point? Breathe deeply the breath of life. Suck it into, deep down into your belly. Let it the breath of life slosh around inside. Enjoy. Exhale and do it again.

As for those anxieties you’re experiencing...
     Breathe!
     To life!

*The New Revised Standard Version of the Holy Bible Copyright 1989 by the Christian Education Committee of the National Council of Churches. Used by permission. All rights reserved.