Last week's recipe for thwarting anxiety left out an essential ingredient. Plus it may have made tending to feelings sound too easy.
Be aware that when you contact feelings (aka tending to feelings) they are likely to erect several barriers.
Barriers to watch out for are subtle thoughts that urge you to abandon the tending feelings idea because it is "staring-at-your-navel-stupid." Or you may encounter loud voices warning you to leave well enough alone and go eat a piece of chocolate.
If you are anxious and miserable enough, you will figure out a way to get around this resistance whatever form it takes. As my brother commented, this may take some practice.
Once you get past roadblocks, try this:
Put on your hip boots. Jump into your feelings and begin to muck around.
Last time we were in the middle of our feelings, we were looking for an authentic feeling. This time we are looking for the beautiful gem of self compassion.
You will find a cache of self compassion adjacent to your storehouse of compassion for others. Mystics through the ages would point you to your heart area.
And you know what - once you begin to love yourself (which is how self compassion manifests itself) - negative feelings, especially anxiety, will begin packing their bags.
Compassion for yourself makes an inhospitable environment for negativity and anxiety.
Compassion is tender and nurturing. It won't force its way in as love never acts like a bully.
It will take time and practice for self compassion to become a regular visitor but what an Incomprehensible Mystery Guest it will be!
Thank you for exploring the mystery. Nicky Mendenhall
