Misplaced :June:
Posted: September 9, 2014 Filed under: Meditation, Yoga | Tags: anxiety, Autumn, Big Ring Ranch Enduro, blogging, compassion, cycling, exercise, Fall, family, fitness, free range, freshly pressed, friends, happiness, health, hope, kindness, life, love, meditation, Mindfulness, motivation, MTB Racing, musings, natural, nature, nebraska, Omaha, paleo, passion, peace, perspective, pilates, running, trail running, Tranquility, Worry, writing, yoga, Zen 14 CommentsIf you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath-
This morning, I’m anxious about any number of things and more specifically the Big Ring Ranch MTB Enduro this coming Saturday. I have not been able to find peace and tranquility very well, or as much as I would like the past few days. This race was supposed to happen in June, however Mother Nature won in the end. I feel tense and unsettled no fewer than a couple of times throughout the day: Worrying about pedantic things like gearing, my level of fitness and health, and I worry about “why” I was talked into this in the first place … I worry a lot, because I find comfort in worrying.
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The first thing I try to do when my worrying mind takes over, is to figure out what is not working right now in this beautiful moment. Sounds easy enough right? For me personally its harder than it sounds. Some mornings there’s a clear answer to be found during a sun salutation, but often it’s jumbled and convoluted – for my mind is not entirely present. I feel like I’m “hanging out” and going through the “motions.” I feel like I’m going to disappoint a bunch of family and friends – You – My Dear Readers. The once solid relationship I had with myself is spiraling out of control.
Other mornings, though, I really don’t know what the problem is. On the surface it appears that everything’s going fairly well, my breath is in tune with my flow and my mind is centered in the moment. Although, buried under the surface: I’m still struggling with worry.
The more I struggle with worry, the more anxious I become. I desperately need to find peace and tranquility, but how? Where do I start?!?
Daily Meditation:
Does what I shared above sound familiar? Some folks go for a walk, others head to the gym and surrender to a warm bath afterwards to find peace and tranquility. However, through being bold and trying, surrendering to the moment … This is when we find peace and tranquility.
Time to head out for a morning walk.
CultFit 
I find acceptance of the way things are including my mind exactly as it is brings me the peace I seek. We must stop fighting everything. I hope your walk was lovely.
My walk yesterday morning was pleasant and and calming, exactly what I needed 🙂
Take care this morning and I hope you have a great day!
Those waves of chattering worry are typical in my life too. Awareness of waves allows me to realize that I can either accept the wave or resist it. I don’t think I’ll ever be wave-free, but at least I know that I’m better off floating with the current than battling floodgates of my own making. Peace to you, my friend.
My walk yesterday and your kind thoughts helped to sooth the waves of worry arriving on shore 🙂
I struggle with anxiety too. Treating a “condition” as something I can control is not fruitful for me. We don’t cause anxiety by our worries. That’s why meds sometime help. Some people’s bodies and brain chemistry are prone to anxiety. For me, it’s helpful to remember it’s physical, and I treat it with the same loving kindness and respect that I would with any other physical ailment. My sister-in-law suffered her very first panic attack the other day, and she said she realized how uninformed she was telling people to pray and quit worrying.
I hope your sister-in-law is feeling better this morning, panic attacks are nothing to simply shrug off. I appreciate your thoughts and taking the time to care – It means the world to me – Thank you 🙂
Your post on worry and anxiety was very timely. I have had some major lifestyle changes since March and continue to try to accept with grace and allowing, using my yoga and meditation as a guide, but I too still have moments of palpable anxiety and worry. I try to find awareness, yes, I’m very anxious today, but I’m perfect in my imperfection and just allow myself that worry, that fear, but don’t allow it to rule me. I like Augusten Burrough’s quote: ” I like flaws and am most comfortable around people who have them. I myself am made entirely of flaws, stitched together with good intentions.” We are all here just doing the best we can on our wonderful journey called living, and for good or bad, anxiety is with some of us at times. We just have to help each other out:). Thanks, great post.
As always, its a pleasure when you share such vulnerable and personal thoughts. You are not alone my friend, and if we can take solace in a few “things” … Well, being flawed, doing our best each and every day – living life to the fullest and helping others out along our paths in life?!? I don’t posses the words to accurately describe a smile shared between two friend … Take care this morning 🙂
When I get that pit in my stomach that means something has upset me, or made me anxious. When I’m at my best, I try to figure out what the lesson in there is for me to learn. Other times, I try to breathe through it. And then there are the times I spiral…The good news is there will always be more anxiety or worries to provide me with another opportunity to respond more mindfully.
In the past I would continually beat myself up in regards to worrying and anxiety, which would only make things worse … A simple walk, and a deep breath afford me the time to – “respond more mindfully … ” Sound familiar 😉
Be well this morning and please take care!
First, thanks for liking and following my blog. I’m honored, especially after reading some of yours. Second, it is nice to find a like mind with regards to the worrying – it makes no sense – but I find comfort in worrying as well. I too struggle with being present when doing yoga, walking, resting, or even just having a conversation. I will tell you this, you seem WAY more together than me. So go do this race, and do it as well as you know you can!! You’ve got this, more importantly, enjoy it! Thanks again for taking the time out for me!
Its an absolute pleasure having stumbled upon your inspiring blog-o-thing and I sincerely look forward to reading more! As always, you are more than welcome to kick off your shoes and hang out over here if you like … The posts are free flowing, with no rhyme or reason, just a simple dudes thoughts being poured out in the wilds of the inter-webz 😉
Thank you for your support and kind wishes – Most importantly this coming Saturday – I’ll be having fun and I hope you will be having fun and smiling as well. Take care!
Let go of the oars and just float your way to the finish. Good luck and, as always, thankyou for sharing.
I love this! *tossing my oars overboard*
I hope you have an amazing weekend – Take care!