Eight Ways to Fight the Fear
To be honest, things are becoming more and more confusing as the days go along. Every time I greet a friend or neighbor or anyone, for that matter, she talks to me as if we are all lost.
And, maybe we are.
It’s hard-to-impossible to figure out sometimes where this year is headed. Some of my friends and acquaintances are solving their dilemma by simply not reading papers or watching TV.
Others choose their channels with care, blocking out everything that seems to be problematic.
Still others are becoming information junkies, focusing their lives on a particular channel offering information they can understand and accept.
On the home front, our Woodstock community is undergoing gentrification. We’re all facing the fact that we’re living in a place far removed from the community we chose to live in when we moved here.
And, this situation comes on the heels of the stresses of Covid and everything that went with that.
Our home is hardly recognizable.
And, I haven’t even brought other news: economic, climate change, the election, our local schools – and any other thing you can imagine.
Then, there are all the economic and social changes in our country.
Sometimes, I think that each of us is on our own, private, Yellow Brick Road.
And, that leads me to the whole reason for this blog post: Fear
The Fear is palpable.
It has an odor.
I see it on the street in the way people walk and the way they talk and the way they dress.
There are some things we can do as we make our way forward into a future many of us are having trouble even imagining.
ONE. Speak Your Fear. As soon as you begin to share your fear, it begins to lose its power over you.
TWO. When fear covers you with an invisible tent, practice breathing exercises. Include meditation sessions. Find what works for you and practice it regularly. When this breathing exercise becomes a part of your life, you should be able to find calm which will send the panic running.
THREE. Exercise regularly. Regular exercise slows down the fight-or-flight reflex. The options are open here. Do what you enjoy.
FOUR. Seek out friends you can chat with who will have a calming effect on you. This step has been helpful for me. When I’m upset, I call Carey and we chat. Sometimes she calls me. Over the last few months, I’ve gathered a few friends who call me. We’re an informal support group.
angel with flowers
FIVE. Enjoy Reiki, or other bodywork modality, regularly I’m watching healing groups form in the area. People gather regularly to share and exchange their sessions. I cannot tell you how important these groups are. Peace. Calm. Lower Blood Pressure, Sleep………….
SIX. Get the what-ifs out of your life and your mind. These lists of fears can wreak havoc on your day. And, they will not save your situation. They are a waste of time which will get you nowhere. Instead, focus your energy on things you can manage.
SEVEN. Write something. This can be a memoir, a journal, a diary, a letter to the editor, a note to a friend you haven’t seen in awhile – whatever works for you. If you’ve never written anything before, now is a good time to begin. Don’t worry. Everybody has a first sentence or chapter or essay. I had one. I never wrote anything but my name before 2013. And, now I have 2 blogs and several books – one of which has been purchased by people in over three dozen countries!
When you begin to write, don’t be afraid of a blog. My first 2 blogs certainly kickstarted my career. I bought a book by Nina Amir: “How to Blog a Book”. I read this book and followed Nina Amir’s instructions.
EIGHT Stress and what-ifs are good invitations to develop our spiritual and religious lives. This is a good time to meet fear with a renewed trust in your spiritual and religious beliefs.
Sometimes reality can be downright scary. This week, meet the uncertainty and fear in your life with a renewed calm. Work your way down the list and see what item helps you the most.
And, finally, thank you for reading this blog post!
Thurman Greco.
Find out more at www.Thurmangreco.com.
You can also find out more about healing and many other things at this blog. Let’s Live is a program airing weekly in Woodstock, NY for about 20 years. Guests on the show are people who have become a part of Woodstock for a day, a week, a decade, or a lifetime.
I look forward to hearing from you about how you like the show.
Find out more about the books at www.thurmangreco.com
Thank you for forwarding this post to your friends and family and sharing it with your favorite social media network.
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Spirit is a Change Agent: 5 Ways to See. 6 Questions. 3 Lists.
Sometimes, when spirit reaches out, we rejoice.
Spirit speaks, whether or not we are interested. The message may be loud or soft, depending on your self-care situation.
Lately, I’ve been hearing from people, each of whom is in dialogue with spirit. One thing, spirit brings change. I think about change this way:
When I choose change, the words in my life are different:
I can love myself more.
I release resentment so forgiveness can become part of my life.
I move from the old to the new.
I express love in more ways.
Today’s article focuses on one prompt instead of the usual list of 5-7 self-care suggestions I’ve been offering. I’m interrupting the series with this one focus because it needs attention.
Do you feel resentment when a client, a relative, a neighbor, a manager, a stranger asks something of you?
Do you want to spend more time with someone but cannot?
The tendency is to swallow your feelings and press on. Whatever the message, spirit speaks truth. However spirit reaches you, the message is an opportunity. Eventually, when spirit bubbles your feelings up, you cannot pretend you don’t feel the tug. Spirit is a change agent.
How does spirit speak to you? Do you feel anger, depression, fear? Do you feel love, calm, excitement? Do you smell roses?
Do thoughts enter your head? “I really don’t want to do this job, see this person again, drive this commute, feel this stress, stay in this apartment, live in this town, put up with this pandemic stress even one minute more.”
Do you see answers in clouds, on pages of books you find open?
Eventually, spirit convinces you to honor your situation and yourself. It’s time to honor change.
A good next step is a list. After all, “if it’s not on the list, it doesn’t exist.” Right?
For starters, I propose two lists. A heart list comes first. This is an ongoing document you create while traveling on your life path.
I first found the Heart list in a book, “Fireflies” by Coleen Murtagh Paratore – a successful and spiritual writer:
Take a piece of paper and draw a large heart on it. What words make you happy? What words make you smile? Put those words in the heart you just drew.
Set this heart list aside for the moment while you create your Change list.
On a second piece of paper, list things to change in your life. You are creating your Change list.
Now, ask yourself:
How can I turn the Change list entries into action?
What should I do to improve my situation?
What can I give away, move, rearrange?
Change is a gift. Is it time to allow gratitude into my life?
Can I get comfortable with change? Do I even want to get comfortable with change?
How long do I want to live with negativity in my life: Ten minutes? Ten days? Ten weeks? Ten Months? Ten years?
Put your two lists away. But, don’t hide your heart list. Place it where you can see it whenever you want. Add add words to your heart list often.
When tomorrow comes, look at your Change list. Your positive future may lie in this list. Seek ways to create what will work for you.
Find ways to graciously and generously reduce contact with stressful people, places, and situations.
Are there people and aspects in your life you want to draw closer? Do you want to spend more time with others? What places do you want to know better? Are there positive activities you want to include in your life?
What are the best ways to remove unwanted habits? Changes shift outcomes. Situations move and create a rejuvenating ripple effect in your life.
The third list, my Ben Franklin Change List, is important now. I’ve used this list for years when taking action becomes confusing. .
Sometimes I’m trying to decide what to do. My options have narrowed down to two or three and I’m still trying to decide. I haul out another piece of paper and draw two or three lines on it. I list everything that can happen if I move down path A, and then I list everything that can happen if I move down path B.
I include “the best thing that can happen if I…” in each option of my Ben Franklin list. I also include “the worst thing that can happen if I…”
After I’ve written down everything and anything, I examine the opportunities these lists created. One list will be longer than the other.
Listing all the options and then seeing them for what they are on the page clears my head and my heart. This information usually points me in a direction.
And, finally, if I’m at a yes/no point and have not reached a decision, I dowse for an answer. My trusty pendulum always helps.
If you don’t dowse, there are still things you can do:
Several years ago, I was in a real quandary. I felt I was going in circles. Confusion reigned.
Someone invited me to visit New York City for a weekend. On that visit, I wound up walking through Washington Square Park late on Sunday afternoon.
I’ve been there many times – there were always people enjoying themselves in this park. People sat around visiting with one another. People walked their dogs. Watching everyone was always fun.
On this afternoon, the place was deserted. Seated all by himself on a bench, sat a smallish, older man wearing an unusual hat.
I was drawn to him. How could I not be? The dogs, the college students, and the tourists were gone. Even the pianist playing songs for tips on his grand piano was gone. There was only the quaint little man and me. As I got closer, I saw a tarot deck next to him on the bench.
You know how this story ends.
I walked over to him and we chatted. He read my cards. His words coaxed my own intuition to pull what I needed from his message. His voice, his posture, his cards, were perfect for me at that moment.
– – – – – – – – – – –
My book, “Healer’s Handbook,” dealing with the spirituality of health, discusses change in several entries.
People get angry when they aren’t comfortable with change. Sometimes this anger surfaces as health issues or disease. Arthritis, boils, burns, carpel tunnel syndrome, cold sores, depression, diarrhea, kidney infections, laryngitis, menstrual problems, obesity, pink eye, sprains, and warts are just a few.
Sometimes, when contacted by spirit,, we see our souls hanging out in front of us. Messages we didn’t ask for show up at a time when we don’t want change in our lives.
When that happens to you, acknowledge the situation and move on. Maybe you’ll be up for change soon.
Take whatever steps you can when you are ready.
Consider this: You may be more ready than you think. After all, spirit is connecting with you and you are listening.
I’m reminded of the old children’s game: “Ready or not, here I come!”
Change is the journey we travel.
Change is opportunity in the face.
Change is a naturally occurring life event.
Change surrounds us all.
Change can create joy. Joy allows you to love yourself and everyone else.
Doing what you can, connect with however many things in your life bring joy.
Change can sometimes be ungrounding. That’s where reflexology comes in. Schedule a session. Grounding is something to appreciate during stressful times.
Reflexology sessions bring the change of homeostasis. With homeostasis, you can take responsibility for your health and find the person you are meant to be.
When working for change, I focus on the immune system and nervous system together for the first part of the reflexology session. This can be transformative.
Thank you for reading this article. Please refer this blog post to your preferred social media network.
Please share it with your friends.
Thanks again.
Thurman Greco
Two Angels Help Heal Your Spirit – a Guided Meditation
Turn on some meditative music which you like.
Find a quiet place where you can be comfortable: a special chair, recliner, massage table; someplace where you feel safe and can relax.
Now, get comfortable. Begin relaxing. Begin to breathe in relaxation and breathe out tension and negativity. Breathe slowly and deeply from your abdomen. Each in breath brings more and more relaxation. Each exhale releases more and more stress. Breathe so that you have a rhythm of centered peace, and calm.
As you become more centered and calm, you realize you are walking along a path in a lush green forest. You have a strong sense that you are in just the place where you are supposed to be. You breathe in the woody scents of the forest around you. These scents and aromas make you feel alive and well.
As you continue walking along, you feel the path beneath your feet. You listen to the forest sounds:
squirrels rustling,
birds singing,
bees buzzing,
chipmunks scurrying.
You become one with this space. You have a strong sense of belonging here.
As you walk along the forest path, you see a bench beside you. Two angels are seated on this bench. As you walk up to these angels you look carefully at them, noticing every detail of their appearance, their clothing, their halos, auras.
As you walk up to the bench you feel a strong sense of calm, and relaxation. Each step toward the angels on the bench brings yet more relaxation.
You begin to feel that this space is yours. You stand for a moment to enjoy this special space. You notice details which you will remember in the future as you return to this space which exists just for you.
Then, you turn your attention once again to the two angels. These two angels are beautiful, perfect in every way. You become aware that these two angels possess a special knowledge to share with you. They offer you knowledge of the infinite and they offer love.
These two angels are here, in this special forest, to answer any questions which you may have. They are here to listen to your fears, hold you if you are lonely, and share their wisdom with you.
They invite you to sit down with them. You join them on the bench. You know they are not here to judge you. They are offering you love, comfort, and guidance.
They are with you now to answer whatever questions you may have. They want you to know that you are important to them.
Ask whatever questions you have. Be confident that the answers you receive will help to heal you. You may ask more than one question.
Pause now for a moment to receive answers. Know that some answers may come at this moment and others may come over the next few days. Be open to these answers.
After pausing for a few moments, it is time to return to your surroundings. Once again, you become aware of your breathing. You open your eyes to the room you are in. You still enjoy the sense of peace, comfort, calm that you felt in the forest.
You know you are special to these two angels and you know you can return to the bench in the forest anytime you want or need.
Thank you for reading this healing guided meditation.
Thank you for reading this blog/book.
Please share this meditation with your preferred social media.
Please send a comment.
Peace and food for all.
Thurman Greco
Reflexology Blog – A Guided Meditation
AN ANGEL, A FLOWER, AND A HEALING GIFT
Find a comfortable place and begin to relax. Close your eyes. Focus on your breathing as you inhale slowly and deeply. Count slowly to 4 as you breathe in. Then, exhale slowly and deeply. Count again slowly to 4. Now, at the end of the deep exhale, count to 2 as you rest between breaths. Repeat this breathing pattern. Inhale slowly and deeply. Count slowly to 4 as you inhale. Now, exhale slowly and deeply as you again count to 4. At the end of the exhale, count to 2. Repeat this pattern of breathing for a few moments as your body becomes more quiet.
You are slowing down and relaxing. Allow any thoughts entering your mind now to pass by without focusing on them or analyzing them in any way. Just let them go.
You feel fully relaxed and comfortable. You see an angel moving toward you. Notice how this angel appears to you. How large is this angel? What colors surround this angel?
You know without asking that this angel has come to bring you a gift – a healing flower. You accept this beautiful flower with gratitude. As you hold it in your hands, you notice you are feeling warmer and even more comfortable. You feel love surrounding this flower. What color is it? What does it look like? How big is it? Are there leaves surrounding it? Without even asking, you know that this gift, this flower being given to you by this special angel is a healing gift.
As you hold this healing flower, you feel its warmth. You begin to be aware of the vibrations being shared with you through petals of this flower. You are also receiving energy from this magical flower.
You glance around you and realize you are in a very special bubble of protection for this healing gift. Your angel has surrounded you and the healing flower with a bubble so that nothing can disturb as you receive this special healing energy.
You begin to feel this beautiful healing energy circulate throughout your entire body. The energy feels warm and comforting. As this energy circulates throughout your body, you feel the healing rays. You are happy to be in this healing bubble as the warmth and healing energy engulf you. You feel safe.
You relax even more. This happens as you feel more and more protected and safe.
You begin to focus on the flower. You notice different colors in this flower and how they offer healing energy just for you. You are aware of a healing light in your bubble and you feel very safe and loved in this space which the angel has created. You feel your angel enfolding you and offering you healing energy and safety. You know you are in a space which is very good for you.
For a few moments, you just rest comfortably in this special healing sanctuary. This is your moment to absorb the positive, warm, enfolding energy.
You forget about time passing. You are able to just “be in the moment.” You absorb the peace of the moment and cherish the experience.
Slowly, you return to the world. You offer gratitude and love to your special angel who created this space just for you. You return to your body. You feel comfortable as you become aware of the room once again.
You thank the angel again. You are grateful for the blessings you received and for the healing energy that was the special gift from your angel. You feel that the goodness received from your angel has expanded your being.
Thank you for reading this meditation.
Please share this guided meditation with your preferred social network.
Send a comment.
Peace and food for all.
Thurman Greco
