It goes without saying that we are certainly living in some interesting, if not historical times. It used to be that we’d experience such things once, maybe twice a generation if the stars were so aligned, but lately that seems to have gone out the window.
Of course, much of the anxiety being felt these days can be attributed to the uncertain outcome that surrounds this November’s election and what is to become of our republic. It’s important to note that these anticipatory feelings are just that, “feelings.”
Although the term anxiety is often used interchangeably with fear, the two are different.
As defined by the American Psychological Association: “Anxiety is an emotion that is typically characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure.” In other words, anxiety relates to “future-oriented” situations that present themselves in less focused, albeit threatening, terms.
Fear, on the other hand, is much more short-lived and takes place in the present, as one responds to a specific, identifiable threat. The responsive phrase “fight, flight or freeze,” is often associated with a fearful event that we suddenly encounter, such as an oncoming car heading straight towards us or a stray dog that begins to growl as it approaches. Psychologist Jordan Fiorillo Scotti suggests rather matter-of-factly: “Fear is hardwired into our DNA. Fear helps protect and motivate us; it’s essential to our survival.”
Indeed, it is essential, but what happens when we allow it to manifest to the point where we’re constantly projecting — wondering what’s next and how it will affect us?
Spiritualist Lama Surya Das explains it as such: “When we feel fear, we typically want to run away or avoid the situation. These reactions can be wise and self-protective when the danger is real and physical. But sometimes, the fear is simply in our minds.”
I wholeheartedly agree. Though I’ve personally made some great strides on this front over the last decade or so (primarily through increased mindfulness and a morning meditation routine), I’m well aware that any anxiety I might be experiencing is clearly self-induced.
The irony of it all, is that more often than not, we have little control over the end result of future events, so why even entertain the various scenarios that may or may not occur, and allow them to dictate our present-moment living?
Needless to say, this premise was put to the test several years ago as the entire population had a front row seat during the Covid-19 pandemic, with much of life as we knew it being turned completely upside down. So little was known about this particular infectious disease, and its potential implications on our health, that it caused anxiety to skyrocket. No one could accurately predict the outcome, and trying to avoid thinking about it was nearly impossible for most folks.
I recently came across a passage by renowned psychiatrist Dr. Gerald Jampolsky, Founder of the Center for Attitudinal Healing, that sums it up perfectly: “Have you noticed how often you feel that you are a victim of the world in which you live? Because most of us perceive many aspects of our surroundings as insane, we are tempted to feel helplessly caught in a trap. When we allow ourselves to think we are living in an unfriendly environment where we must fear being hurt or victimized, we can only suffer.”
It’s inevitable that the collective anxiety in this country will most likely increase as we get closer to the November election. No matter where we turn, we’ll be bombarded with negative advertising, mudslinging, and hateful speech, all of which are all too common in today’s political landscape. How much, as individuals, we choose to allow the rhetoric to dictate our thoughts on a daily basis is clearly up to us. Or as the incomparable Maya Angelou once said: “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” Amen.
