Living on the Other Side of Anxious By Mark L. Vincent

Learning to Become Anxious for Nothing

Being non anxious is a pretty handy gift during Pandemic Time! I’ve been teased as a person who never gets riled – and more than once given the nickname Yoda by people who don’t even know each other.

I don’t think that never riled is accurate, because when anger comes out of me it is not a pretty sight and has accumulated over time. It is a gift to have understanding friends and family who have seen the rare sight and offer lovingkindness and forgiveness.

The low blood pressure and general calmness I feel is something to celebrate. Not carrying anxiety is far better than living with it.

The more reasons I had to be an anxious person in the middle of the 16-year battle for my first wife’s health, and the more opportunity to claim and live my faith, the calmer and more nonplussed I became.

It bred several results:

Less Stress

I don’t stress about whether you are more theologically right or wrong in your views. Your voting preferences are not of concern to me. I’m not troubled by your preferences to open things up or close them down as a response to a public health concern. Instead, I look for your desire to be faithful in service to others. That is the kindred spirit I’m seek.

What Matters Most

Winning doesn’t matter. Survival does. So does community. If I survive intact today, and better, if we survive together, it is reason enough to celebrate.

Contentment

Ambition disappeared. While I remain driven to work ha, to write and speak with clarity and passion, and to keep developing knowledge that leads to wisdom, it doesn’t have to be from the top of an organizational mountain or in competition with you.

I’m finding a lot of scripture that confirms these insights. I wish I had claimed their promises much, much earlier in my career.

Here is one I consider especially significant.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  (Philipipans  4:6,7)

Are you ready to live on the other side of anxious?

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Mark L. Vincent is Founder of Design Group International, a process consulting Community of Practice.

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