I have a secret,...

I have been a master. A master of illusion. Often in the past it may have appeared that all was going well on the outside, meanwhile, on the inside I was spinning out of control with anxiety. I think it's important to write about this because I am often very surprised when other's share their perception of me with me. I have often been perceived as a rock, handling stress and managing things with ease (this might come as a surprise to my wife ;) as she has seen me unravel right before her very eyes) Anyway, I am here today to clarify that misconception, because it is important to realize that people may not be exactly what you think you see AND it's also important to share, so that we know when we are having challenging times that we are not alone.

I recently took a scary chance and shared my feelings of anxiety that were growing and gaining momentum. In that brave glorious moment the sky opened up and peace and ease where delivered to me when a coworker shared a little trick to help me manage those moments of anxiety and it has been such an amazing tool for me that I am going to share it with you.

When you're feeling anxiety, and not just anxiety, but anything that is less than desirable and you feel like you just might spin out of control,... I used to say, stop and take a breath, but sometimes (who am I kidding? often) as simple as it seems to just stop and take a breath, it can be very difficult because you've got this pattern of thought going and going and going and the momentum has gotten to a place that it feels virtually impossible to stop these crazy thoughts. One is just feeding the other and it can be challenging to just stop. So, here's the little trick, instead of trying to stop the flow of thoughts that seem to be taking you on a little internal tilt-a-whirl, switch your thoughts to counting. Counting? Yes, counting. Simple as, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

It seems way too easy, I know, but it works!!! For me anyway. I was told that stopping the incessant thoughts by starting to count can retrain your brain. It's kinda like reprogramming. A fleeting thought occurs, example: "Why did he do that? Is he mad at me? He must be mad at me. Why else would he,..." You're probably familiar with the rest,...incessant thoughts rage on, until they ruin your day. Unless,... you stop them by beginning to count. Just keep counting until you feel the anxiety or frustration or whatever the negative feeling is, begin to melt away. So far the highest I've counted is 58. I've only been doing this for 4 or 5 days.

The more you interupt the process of negative emotion snowballing in your mind the quicker you will reprogram your brain to release the fleeting thoughts that do not serve you.

I can't believe that jerk just cut me off. Who does he think he is? Ranting and raving,... Blah blah blah blah,... One,... two,... three,... four,... five,... six,... seven,... eight,... nine,... ten,... eleven,... twelve *sigh* peace