Being informed vs. Living in fear
Feelings are Real & Valid
Advanced notice, this write-up is a little longer then usual. I hope you take the time to read and be filled with some light (since you are cooped up anyways 😊.
Given the amount of “reaction” (words and actions) that is being displayed in our society, the current unknowns and (valid) fears towards this life-changing time we are in, this series is being issued in care of your mental, emotional and physical well-being.
Feelings are very real, valid and need to be expressed (in a healthy means), not suppressed. BUT what you dwell on or let live in your heart (mind) can literally wreak havoc on your life.
The mind and your words can be very powerful tools or can be weapons. There is a difference between being informed and living in fear. It’s wise to be informed and to have fear (it helps us make decisions), but if the majority information you are allowing to take up space in your mind is negative, drives fear and creates panic, it will erode your peace, hope, and literally wreak havoc on your emotional, mental and physical health.
– Your words and thoughts can make you sick or healthy (literally). – Your words and thoughts impact others. You can make someone’s miserable day, happy or someone’s happy day, miserable (both in the short and long term). I am sure we have all experienced this in some fashion.
You Have Choices 😊 Focus on what you can control. – What you listen to (media, news, friends, etc) – What you allow to take up space in your mind – How you speak – HopeFULL or HopeLESS
Our culture, childhood, environments (work, home, friends, etc) and experiences all shape how we think and speak (learned habits). The good news is, habits can be changed (no matter what your age). To change takes self-awareness/acknowledgement, the desire, discipline and time, So in other words, it takes work… but what a wonderful benefit and freeing it comes with!
Don’t get me wrong, this does not mean you will never be sad, upset, anxious, angry, fearful, worried; but with effort, those feelings will become much less intense and even when they are experienced, you will find hope comes so much sooner (even when events do not change).
Where do I start? 1. Awareness/Acknowledge (literally record your answers to the questions below on paper) – recognize where you get your input, how much of it you get – is the input mostly negative/fear driven or informative, true, and offers good news/hope – how much of each input do you allow to take up space with your mind – recognize your thought patterns, what does your mind dwell on – does what your mind dwell on cause physical symptoms of anxiety or physical responses of calm/peace – recognize how you talk, are most of your words/statements negative, derogatory, filled with anger These are not all bad, but it’s about how you express them and how long it sits inside you.
2. If the majority of the above stems, drives and instills fear/anxiety/worry, do you want that to change?* As a reminder, I am not saying you should be uninformed or not have any fear, as fear can be HEALTHY, but even healthier is having it balanced with calmness, peace, love and Hope – don’t be surprised if there is a resistance to change no matter what it is, change is hard, sometimes it might feel like you lose your identity. In actuality, your identity is not lost but will be changed with health benefits for you and your community.
3. Discipline/Make Changes – limit your time in environments, with resources, people, activities that build anxiety – add/replace with resources, tools, people that bring life, peace, hope (see some resources below) – for every negative word/statement/thought replace it with 2 positives or express 2 things you are thankful for – compliment others (for small or big things) and compliment yourself – say thank you – in addition to changing your input/output: laughter, exercise, music, singing, playing an instrument, being outside, gardening, dancing, conscious breathing, mind-quieting exercises, prayer, helping others, pets, healthy sleep patterns, balanced hormones, a nourishing diet are all great ways to support a mental shift (and I know there are many more).
4. Time – just like any other habit, it takes time to change and it doesn’t have to be all at once or all or nothing, small changes/small steps can have HUGE benefits.
Stay tuned as the next part to this series will explain how relentless anxiety/stress/worry has evidenced alterations to your health, accelerate aging while giving tools to support your body during those times.
I can only find it appropriate to end this write-up with Wise Peace Love and Hope filled Words that have been provided for all of us (everywhere) to have in our hearts and lives, and have been around since ancient of times.
I am sharing (because I know it’s available for you too), that over the 40 year journey I’ve had getting closer to Jesus, the stronger and more peace and unfailing Hope I have in good times but most definitely in chaos and storms. This does not mean, I do not have temporary times of sad tears, emptiness, anxiety, upset days and even fear (including in our current situation) BUT when those icky feelings try to steal my hope and joy they are temporary and I know exactly where to go to restore my immediate unfailing trusting Hope again.
Peace be with You friends Fear Not is indicated in the Bible 365 times (that’s one for each day of the year 😊 Some of my favorites include (emphasis mine) “ 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:6 – 8 NLT
“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 (NLT),
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NLT
27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
To Great Health & Fitness! Tracy Coe, CPT-PMA, cQRA Wellness & Nutrition Practitioner
Tracy Coe is a certified QRA wellness and nutrition practitioner who’s passion is to support the community in educating and providing professional documented and researched options of whole foods, cleansing, and toxicity prevention to support short/long term health and wellness and vitality for the individual and family. For more information email pilates@coe-dynamics.com or call 424.903.3104