People tend to dwell more on negative things than on good things. So the mind then becomes obsessed with negative things, with judgments, guilt and anxiety produced by thoughts about the future and so on. -- Eckhart Tolle
When faced with a crisis, do you dwell on the negative thoughts and let anxiety take over?
For those of you who aren't aware, several midwest and east coast states (in America)/ provinces (in Canada) are dealing with a huge ice storm. The last time this happened (December 2013), we lost power for three days and it was a life-changing event. It scared me so much that I couldn't look at a candle without feeling anxious for over a year.
Late last week, the Weather Network stated another ice storm headed our way. The anxiety reared its head but I had the tools to deal with it. It wasn't four days before Christmas. Our hydro company had spent many man hours trimmed trees near all power lines. I had plenty of distractions. I had my mantra down pat: I am safe inside and no harm will come to me or MR N.
Four years ago, I let my anxiety run amok inside my head. I concentrated on the negative (no power and no heat) instead of the positive (I was alive and both MR N and I were safe and sound). Anxiety would've taken over again if I hadn't a plan of attack.
Listen, we all go through one crisis or another. Whether it's bad weather, loss of a job, a break-up, a sick child, each crisis has the potential to tear us to shreds. The difference is choosing to focus our attention and our thoughts on the positive and not the negative.
Take my advice: create a plan of attack to deal with the crisis, be gentle to yourself and repeat a mantra (positive thought to focus you).
MRS N