By Susan deCaussin
Life is a game of balance. On one hand, we’re given many challenging circumstances to navigate. On the other hand, we’re provided with free will, which allows us to choose how we’ll respond and react in those moments. While unexpected and difficult times may sometimes make us feel like we’ve lost control of our lives, this is purely an illusion. Let me explain further.
In my years of helping people work through their struggles, some things have become evident to me – the true meanings behind feelings of depression and anxiety. It’s the topic of anxiety that I’d like to focus on right now.
I’ve found that anxious feelings come from a person’s inability to change things outside their control. There are only three things that you truly have control over. Those things are your thoughts, words, and actions. You cannot change circumstances resulting from other people’s thoughts, words, and actions. If you try, you’re simply wasting your precious energy and allowing yourself to feel victimized and out of control. This brings up another important aspect of gaining some peace in your life. I’m talking about building healthy boundaries.
Firm boundaries aren’t just needed to stop the flow of negative energy coming toward you. They’re also about stopping your energy from flowing into situations you cannot control. It all starts with being acutely aware of where your real power exists.
There is one thing that brings about inner peace and happiness that can’t be taken away from you. That one thing is your power to choose. In every situation you go through, you can decide how you will react. This is the definition of “free will.” It’s possible to find the good and bad at any given time in all circumstances. It’s your place to decide what you’ll focus on. This is what separates those people who are consistently happy-go-lucky from those who are always focused on doom & gloom.
It’s good to remember that, in the Universe, all things exist in an unlimited quantity. While the manifestation process may seem to suggest that we can materialize things into existence from thin air, the things we desire have always existed. We need to understand that to bring them into our lives, we must first shift our focus and mindset to match that vibration or energy. It’s similar to what happens when you buy a specific type or color of car. After you drive it off the lot, it would seem that you start seeing them everywhere when you’ve trained your mind to tune into that item.
The general public has been trained to focus on many negative situations and scenarios worldwide in recent years. The media overdramatizes and then overplays fear-based situations until we unintentionally train our minds to look for and expect more of them. This then initiates a cycle of negative thinking as our minds shift into the habit of low-vibrational thoughts, creating the illusion that we’ve lost control. As I stated earlier, a loss of control fuels a state of anxiety.
There is an answer to gaining back control and releasing anxious feelings. It lies in your ability to choose what to focus on and then react to life in ways that promote inner peace. Contrary to what we’d like to believe, bad things happen to good people. You can define adversity as punishment, holding anger and resentment within you. You can see every struggle as a life lesson intended for your highest and best. However, if you decide to know, it will determine what happens next. Free will empowers us to frame every circumstance in whatever way we choose.
Above all, it’s good to remember that this physical life is only temporary. It’s meant to be a classroom that provides opportunities for tremendous insight and growth. If you try to see every challenge as a lesson instead of a punishment, it’s much easier to react calmly and peacefully. Once you’ve taken on this habit of thought, you can confidently control every aspect of your life by controlling how you respond and react.
Sometimes, people have been so well trained in negative thought patterns that they need some help making the shift. This is where Hypnotherapy can help. Our minds are highly adaptable and can change at any age. If you’re having a tough time controlling and releasing negative thoughts and would like to learn more, reach out for a free consultation.
Susan deCaussin CHt
