Anxiety isn't your friend, man

[SailorDude]

Hey there fellow Dudes.  I'm sitting here on my boat (where I live) and it's a little after noon on a Wednesday.  I haven't really done anything today other than take my dog for a walk, surf a little online and eat an avocado.   It used to be that I'd feel guilty for not "doing" anything with my time, then, after I finally figured my shit out, I realize that anxiety, masquerading as guilt, is the main foe I was dealing with.  Anxiety was robbing me of enjoying the moment at hand.  Guilt is just another form of anxiety, so don't let it fool you.  Also, realize that anxiety is a form of energy and we can mistakenly use it a fuel - something we shouldn't do.

We should reject anxiety because it never really helps us.  It just clouds the waters and gets us all worked up.  I think the world has enough worked up people.  We don't need to add to it.  

Recognizing anxiety, then stepping back and letting it go, is key to a relaxed life.  The Dude understood that, although even he got worked up now and then.

I posted this on my blog awhile ago:

When I started to really figure things out I noticed that  something happened, something changed. All of the inner work I've been doing for years started to manifest and I found my natural speed.  I relaxed into myself.  I spun down to the point where I began to recognize my reactions to everything and I could see when I chose fear and anxiety over detachment and love.  Witnessing my reactions allowed me to see when I embraced the negative - which happened more often than I thought it would.  

I had to get into the habit of rejecting fear and accepting love with every reaction I had.  It changed everything for me, once I started to pause before I reacted, and then detached myself just enough to remain calm and keep the big picture in mind.  The big picture being the the Universe and the realization that we are not separate from it, but rather an intrinsic part of it.

[cckeiser]

Good stuff dude...thankee for sharing.

[BikerDude]

Stress and Anxiety is the most deadly thing there is.
Really. I'm talking clinically speaking.

http://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131734718/just-breathe-body-has-a-built-in-stress-reliever

[cckeiser]

Stress and Anxiety is the most deadly thing there is.
Really. I'm talking clinically speaking.

http://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131734718/just-breathe-body-has-a-built-in-stress-reliever

Taking a deep breath here...Thankee BikerDude!

[Dave]

Greta post SailorDude.

This very topic, is why I've come to back to the forum today.

I Have been doing a lot of stressing. At the moment it feels like people are competing in family and friends and goods. Fuck competition. I'll pursue what I want, and let other do whatever they want.

I had an inner realisation like you did, of just letting go of all the worries. Like Fuck it man lets go bowling type of thing.

[Zen Dog]

I used to be like that about 20 years ago.I had a very uptight woman.Then I read Jonathon Livingstone Seagull and set out on a new path.I spent some time in the reserves and wondered from time to time why I never got promoted.Then one day I was told,"No issues with your ability but you are too laid back". I took a lot of comfort from that.