"The anxious brain believes that if it scans the horizon – that if it checks enough – it can circumvent loss. But we know that there isn’t enough checking in the world to mitigate risk and to offer a 100% money-back guarantee of certainty."
I want to share this piece with every person I have seen online profusely over-explaining in great depth the measures that they took to safeguard themselves from coronavirus, including and up to never leaving the house for the last year including grocery delivery, only to still become sick with Covid-19.
It is my opinion that the obsessive need for safety has taxed people's immune system with the stress that it causes. Controversial opinion, but not without some basis in science given what we know about the stress-immune function link and what isolation does to our immunity.
Of course, this isn't at all what Sheryl is talking about here, but what it brings up in me when I read it. Anyhow, her writing is awesome, and I've dabbled in her courses which are also very good.
Coming from one of the people who has isolated themselves a lot in the past year, I agree. Unfortunately, I think the virus has brought out some latent anxious tendencies in some of the population. But fortunately, it has also given us an opportunity to examine our relationship with uncertainty.
Great find! I would have passed on this one based on the headline were it not for your comment. Totally agree with your assessment of the effects of stress on the immune system, too.
Haha it’s such an unfortunate headline 😂 luckily i know this writer and enjoy her work so I took the chance. And that’s what makes places like Readup so special :)
I’m so happy it did! It clicked with me as well. I actually had a lot of ritualistic compulsions as a child, and in fact find that I am much more connected to spiritual practice as an adult. It’s been so helpful in the last year especially to have the practices she names.
There are some people – the highly sensitives and empaths – who are painfully aware of the liminality of our existence from an early age, and it often shows up as a fear of change, separation, and death.
Actually, for me the thought of my fleeting existence in the context of humanity and even the universe has always given me comfort. But I think that underscores the author’s point even further, that we can access a sense of safety and enough by connecting to the greater whole.
My action item from this article will be the following exercise: when I sense fear, it’s an opportunity to reframe my situation. Is there something here that allows me to connect to myself more deeply? To the greater whole?
Thank you for this kellyalysia. Once, after a run through the woods, reaching the end and looking out at a large bay, the word enough came into my mind and with it a sense of peace that is hard for me to describe
And so we’re left with what’s embedded inside the doubt, which is an invitation to grow our capacity to trust. Just as love and fear are cousins in the pocket of the heart, so doubt and trust are sisters in the soul. This means that when we walk through fear’s door we expand our capacity to love, and when we walk through doubt’s door we expand our capacity to trust.
I’ve been asking myself, “is it enough?”, all week and the answer is usually, “yep!” That’s liberating for a recovering perfectionist!
I want to share this piece with every person I have seen online profusely over-explaining in great depth the measures that they took to safeguard themselves from coronavirus, including and up to never leaving the house for the last year including grocery delivery, only to still become sick with Covid-19.
It is my opinion that the obsessive need for safety has taxed people's immune system with the stress that it causes. Controversial opinion, but not without some basis in science given what we know about the stress-immune function link and what isolation does to our immunity.
Of course, this isn't at all what Sheryl is talking about here, but what it brings up in me when I read it. Anyhow, her writing is awesome, and I've dabbled in her courses which are also very good.
Coming from one of the people who has isolated themselves a lot in the past year, I agree. Unfortunately, I think the virus has brought out some latent anxious tendencies in some of the population. But fortunately, it has also given us an opportunity to examine our relationship with uncertainty.
I totally agree
Great find! I would have passed on this one based on the headline were it not for your comment. Totally agree with your assessment of the effects of stress on the immune system, too.
Haha it’s such an unfortunate headline 😂 luckily i know this writer and enjoy her work so I took the chance. And that’s what makes places like Readup so special :)
Thank you for posting this. What a beautiful calming way to start my day. Very empowering.
I’m so happy it did! It clicked with me as well. I actually had a lot of ritualistic compulsions as a child, and in fact find that I am much more connected to spiritual practice as an adult. It’s been so helpful in the last year especially to have the practices she names.
Thanks so much for posting this. What a deep reframe of anxiety. I know that nature and art calm my soul. I can’t meditate without my dog beside me!!!
I want to read this again. And then again. And then just eat the words and internalize it all. Beautiful find.
Actually, for me the thought of my fleeting existence in the context of humanity and even the universe has always given me comfort. But I think that underscores the author’s point even further, that we can access a sense of safety and enough by connecting to the greater whole.
My action item from this article will be the following exercise: when I sense fear, it’s an opportunity to reframe my situation. Is there something here that allows me to connect to myself more deeply? To the greater whole?
Great comment! Love the reframe.
Thank you for this kellyalysia. Once, after a run through the woods, reaching the end and looking out at a large bay, the word enough came into my mind and with it a sense of peace that is hard for me to describe
I’m so glad it resonated!
This is a deep meaningful read, one I highly recommend. One that resonates deep within where truth resides. Truly love this.