Serenity in an Age of Anxiety

Breaking the Blame Cycle-Part 2               When the blame cycle starts with rotten behavior such as cheating, lying, stealing or cruelty, it is easy for the victim to claim the moral high ground. The occupant of the moral high ground might temporarily feel better, but over time, it is emotionally unsatisfying.  A diet of…

      When you are anxious, fearful and angry the mind tries to solve the problem  There are clues to uncover, culprits to identify and worthiness to earn. If there is no action to take, there is always rumination. What should I do? Why isn’t the situation different? Who is to blame?   It feels like…

      Micah* wanted to get through college but was so anxious most days he could not leave his apartment to attend class. Medications left him fuzzy headed and tired. His parents called him daily but no amount of prodding, encouragement or therapy seemed to make a difference. When one of his therapists recommended CBD…

    Anxiety and its close relative, fear are your built-in home security system.  Don’t eat that food of dubious providence; it could be poison! Watch out for people who are overly friendly, not friendly enough or remind you of Uncle Wally. You know how shifty he was. Some security systems are set on high alert…

            Five-year old Addie often needed something in the middle of the night. Sometimes it was a glass of water or a reassuring hug.  Often a nightmare required immediate discussion and analysis.  Unfortunately, her father got cranky if she woke him up and her mom was a heavy sleeper. Addie had limited options but she…

Holly* and her parents had always had a tight bound.  When it was time to go to college, she chose one in the city where she grew up so she would be close to home. She worked hard and never went through a serious rebellion stage possibly because she was prone to anxiety or perhaps…

  Blake* was the kind of woman other women wanted to be like and men liked to be with. Between her intelligence, effervescence and attractiveness, she was hard to ignore when she walked into a room. A few years ago she moved to a new city and for the first time in her life had…

Imagine you are relaxing with a cup of tea or a glass of wine and suddenly Jesus appears in front of you. If Jesus is not your go to guy, then Abraham or Buddha.  Someone you believe is a bridge to something bigger than yourself.  For Millie, she imagines the Goddess Isis when she needs…

Anxiety has a large extended family. Anger and depression are its siblings. Loneliness, disconnection and unworthiness are cousins on one side of the family and blame, shame and guilt are on the other. Fear is the parent as all anxiety is born of fear. The black sheep who nobody likes to talk about are violence,…

      Luna* was worried. about her teenage son, Riley*.  The frequent school shootings and ongoing media coverage were stirring up everyone and she wanted to stay connected with him. She knew the teenage brain is a bit like Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans in that you never know what you are going to get.  Nonetheless,…

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