Speak Out — Or Be Silently Complicit
by Lara Alexiou •Scranton, PA

A full life filled with family, friends, a career, and outside interests is the reward for living well. A full life, often, is a sign we are thriving and not merely marking time. A full life takes us out into the world and connects us to a sense of purpose. There is a downside, however, to running full throttle and keeping a hectic pace. That downside is anxiety. Feeling overwhelmed can rob us of the joys of our full lives; anxiety can cause us to shut down, emotionally, mentally, and physically. Anxiety acts like a floodlight and can blind us with its intensity. Fortunately, the solution to the glare of anxiety is often simple: Turn the light around.

Taoism, an ancient lineage of healers that originated in China, devised the solution to today’s hectic lives thousands of years ago. That solution, “turn the light around,” encourages us to retreat, even if only for a few minutes, from outside stimuli and go within for self-illumination. When we turn the light around, we take back our power and our energy. We put the focus on our own serenity and centering.

To turn your light around, take three-minute breaks several times throughout your day. Close your eyes and focus on your breath. Without forcing or trying to control your breath, simply observe. Feel the cool air flow in through your nostrils. Follow its path. Does your breath radiate throughout your shoulders and torso? Does it get caught in your neck? There is no wrong or right way here. You are simply observing; simple turning the light around.

By focusing on our breath, we slow down our minds. Becoming quiet and still and stopping our minds from racing from one thought to the next, from item to item on our to-do lists, gives us the opportunity to solve our problems serenely. In this digital age where a constant deluge of outside forces demand attention, turning inward is not easy. The irony is while technology has made it easier to connect more closely to others, it disconnects us from ourselves. That disconnect is a breeding ground for anxiety.
           
Anxiety is not all bad, however. The most toxic substances become strong sources of energy when used correctly. Poisonous plutonium launches rockets into space. Radioactive uranium generates electricity. A simple campfire holds the power to cook a nourishing meal and provide warmth or reduce entire forests to ash. Unchecked, these elements are destructive, but properly channeled, they provide energy. When purposefully focused, anxiety becomes an asset that can be controlled and channeled but only when we shine the light within.
           
The next time feelings of panic, anger, or depression begin to stir, remember those uncomfortable emotions may signal potential that can be harnessed. Let anxiety be a catalyst for self-inquiry and self-growth. Trade up and swap debilitation and fear of failure (or fear of success) for transformation, and welcome the will to succeed. Convert anxiety into empowerment by connecting to your breath and stilling your mind. Anxiety can be an ally or a foe; it’s up to you to decide which by turning the light around.

Lara Alexiou is the author of Become the Architect of your Body, Mind and Soul and owner of Steamtown Yoga. She has been helping people transform their lives through the Eastern Healing Arts for nearly two decades. For more information and to read Alexiou’s yoga and wellness blog, visit her online at https://www.steamtownyoga.com/books and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.