When we think about anxiety, we think about tempering it, getting rid of it, pushing it away. It hurts. It hurts our bodies, our minds, our general sense of wellbeing. But what if this awful feeling teaches us something or, even more radical, makes us a more loving, connected person?

These are thoughts that have been running through my mind during several days of high anxiety. Often I use meditation apps for relaxing, especially for getting to sleep. A yoga nidra guide, in particular, often asks for an intention. Mine is always to love more. Just thinking that intention and meditating on it doesn’t really change anything, in my opinion. It becomes just a thought and does not grow into real action. 

Anxiety, on the other hand, breaks my heart open. Suddenly I can feel the pain of others and have better understanding about how people react to such pain. For example. . . .stay steady here . . . .I had an insight into why people like Trump. When you are in the middle of high anxiety, whether the reasons are bogus or not, you want relief. You want someone who names this irrational anxiety and says they are going to fix it. People who are afraid want someone to fix their reality, even if that reality is not in sync with Reality! Might we be able to communicate with these people with this understanding? Or at least not feel strong animosity towards them?

Another use of anxiety is to explore ways to cope and then share these insights with others. I can usually find something on my phone to listen to – Charlotte Joko Beck, Thich Nhat Han, Gabrielle Bernstein, Ram Dass, and so many others. Then, when I find a way to calm myself, I know that what I find may comfort others as well. 

Grow from your anxiety! It’s possible!

I’m trying to find the value in living for a day or two with anxiety. Here are the three that come to mind.

1. I’ll know how other people who have chronic anxiety feel.

2. The anxiety will motivate me to take care of what is making me anxious.

3. This is a learning opportunity for easing the anxious feelings with techniques that may be shared with others. 

Why am I anxious? My PayPal account was hacked and someone took my money. The bank is on it and PayPal is doing a terrible job of helping me. Once this is taken care of, I’ll close the PayPal account – a good use of my anxiety, wouldn’t you say? 

Other thoughts: The world is a mess. If we only include Israel, Gaza, and the United States, truly one has the fuel for high anxiety! I find it interesting that, for the moment, I was more anxious about my own financial crisis – which, in the grand scheme of things, is less important than what is happening in the world right now! 

So, what shall we do. Let’s learn to stay as calm as possible and start writing postcards for the coming elections. Let’s support organizations who are working tirelessly for peace between Israeli Jews and Palestinians. And, of course, keep a close eye on your PayPal account!