Dear Girija:

“But.. I wish I could be happy while doing this work… But, I’m miserable” – I too wish you were happy. As a matter of fact, I wish I was happy this morning, or more content than I am. I slept poorly, I mistakenly blocked a person from my email, and I feel badly about it.

“I have to tear my focus away from the tornado in my chest… And there are constantly new stressors that get added. I wish I could figure out how to get my body into a happy state, soothe myself. I am not able to do that” -lower your expectations: instead of aiming at getting your body “into a happy state“, aim at getting it into a calmer state. Aim at feeling a little bit better (not a lot better): take a few deep breaths, get out of your chair and walk around a bit- these two simple practices should calm you down some and make you feel a little bit better.

“I tried setting an intention today first thing in the morning, that I will fight anxiety. It did help. I was able to dismiss a lot of fears emerging from meetings at work” – congratulations for a job well done!

“But, I am simply swinging between neutral and miserable. I want to feel lighter and happy”  – patience, Girija, you will need a whole lot more patience.

“Just a moment of happiness” – that you can get today, a moment of happiness, but not if you desperately want it, or try to force it. A moment of happiness can creep up on you when you stop expecting and wanting it.

anita

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