Worrier to Warrior to Peace

Hi EveryOne, Happy April – hope this month sees you being kind to yourself and to the world around you 🙂

Some news from Hervey Bay before my article – ‘From Worrier to Warrior to Peace’…

Meditation classes (both seated Meditation and Moving Meditation / Qi Gong) are going well, as is our move to our new home (our new healing space) – where I am now slowly starting to take clients and will soon be running small retreats, classes, spiritual gatherings etc. Our awesome Lotus Belle Tent was erected yesterday and should be ready for use by next week, YESSS!!! I have finished my practice in Hervey Bay but will continue my practice at Burrum Heads. It’s been a busy few months – and reception/computer been our biggest challenge – but it’s starting to smoothing out a bit now 🙂

Oh and for those in The Bay – I will soon be adding Hoop-Dance (hula-hooping) classes for seniors (haha since I’m officially a senior this year) and for those looking for an alternative, fun way to manage pain and improve health and wellbeing. I am currently undergoing certification and will be done mid-year – woot woot! 🙂 🙂

From Worrier to Warrior to Peace!

“Worry often gives a small thing, a big shadow” – Swedish proverb.

The insidious nature of worrying (which becomes a vicious cycle of self-perpetuating disempowering thoughts followed by disempowering actions) has become a major player in modern illness and breakup of families. Many studies have proven that worrying puts a strain on our physical and mental health, and our relationships, yet it’s been so normalised over centuries – so programmed we are, that we don’t see anything wrong with it. When I talk with clients or facilitate programs, a large majority are still under the illusion that worrying is normal (that it shows they care). This couldn’t be further from the truth! So I gently remind them that though it has become ‘normal’ – in no way is it natural to our inner being. It is a human emotion – a learned behaviour – and if it is learned it can also be un-learned. So how do we un-learn worry? How do we stop this cycle of misplaced concern for others and stop the cycle of self sabotage that can sneak into every corner of our life – if given permission? … Here are some tips…

1. STOP! Apply a firm brake to any negative thought. DO NOT give your thoughts permission to spiral out of control – otherwise your emotions AND your actions will too. Leaving your thoughts unchecked is a child throwing a tantrum – unhealthy for all concerned. Self control takes self discipline and self LOVE,  which can be challenging but certainly not impossible.

1. BREATHE! Conscious breathing has been proven to be an effective tool to manage stress and to curb worry. When we stress, get angry, worry, get upset, we often unconsciously hold our breath – which is unhealthy on so many levels. Breathing is a natural process and essential for life but is so easily forgotten.

1. CREATE positive, healthy, life-giving thoughts only – after all, YOU are the Creator of your own thoughts! Remind yourself of this fact, over and over and over, until it sticks. Remind yourself that you are a powerful Soul, that you have a choice and that worrying doesn’t serve anyone.

1. BECOME the Warrior and ‘take out’, kill off any thoughts that make you distressed, ill (dis-ease). Be firm. Be swift. Just do it! DO NOT allow them to meander through your being, for if you do, this stealth enemy will slowly kill you and you won’t even see it coming. In other words, don’t pussy-foot around worry, don’t make excuses or justify it or hang onto it – just eliminate it, let it go!

1. BE MINDFUL – keep your mind busy (not with distractions, so kick your online/phone addiction to the curb) but with positive, uplifting, life-giving thoughts. Finding the benefit in any given situation (there is always something to learn) is just one way to keep your mind active, present and moving in the right direction. Away from worry.  Away from stress.

1. REMIND yourself that your original nature is one of love and peace and bliss. Worrying takes you away from yourself – from your true natural nature (which makes you forget your beautiful authentic self) and you start believing that it’s ok to worry. But it’s not ok. It makes you stressed. It makes you ill.

Worry nags at us – a thought at a time – allowing a storm to brew inside as chaos reigns and everyone loses. The more we practice Self Awareness – to turn inward, again and again and again – enables us to pay attention to what’s going on inside. The more we check inward, rather than focus on or blame what’s going on outside – the easier we can combat worry and the quicker we can return to our essence of peace 🙂

Question:  How much do you worry each day?

Contemplation:  What would be the worst thing that could happen if you didn’t worry? What would be the best thing that could happen if you didn’t worry?

Activity: Breathe. Breathe. Breathe. Let go. Let go. Let go. Love yourself. Love yourself. Love yourself.

Lots of love,      Annemarie 🙂