If I practice fear, I make progress towards fear. If I practice peace, I make progress towards peace.

Fear can be my friend, as long as I note the fear and ask myself what part of it is a rational concern at this moment. Not an imaginary concern that just feels real. What is the concern that makes sense due to direct observation? And if there is a rational concern at this moment, what can I do about it? What steps can I take?

The first step I can always take, whether I’m in rational or irrational worry, doubt, fear or insecurity, is to sit quietly and ask for help from my Higher Power. I can pray with passion and determination. I can call a 12-step fellow. (I don’t need to go to my husband every time. He’ll think I’m crazy. My fellow food addicts will understand what I’m saying here.) I can speak to my therapist. I can read some spiritual literature. I can write about it. If it’s a health-related fear, I can call the doctor.

I don’t have to eat over it; or intensify it with fear-based entertainment; or convince anyone of the “truth” of my fear.

I can decide to distract myself with a more healthy pursuit than dwelling in fear. I can train my attention on another object. I can walk in Nature, look up at the trees and the stars. How many millions of years have trees grown on this Earth? How many billions of years have these stars existed in the Universe? How many people have lived and died underneath them? How small is my life compared to the vastness of time and space?

I can make a gratitude list. I can practice yoga, or cook, or listen to the ringing of a great bell… with the intention to practice peace.

As I heard in a meeting this morning, peace is our spiritual DNA. We are made for peace.

Here’s a lovely video made for peace. One of our fellows shared it with me today. I enjoyed it very much (including the misspellings). I’ll keep this one on hand and watch it again.

Thank you.

Love & Light,

Valerie