We have all experienced anxiety at some time of our lives. It is often a signal to pay attention to that which is not sitting well within us. This can be as a result of lifestyle, diet, our interactions with others or whether we are on track in our career, studies, sports or hobbies.   Typically we often start to project in the future or draw from past experiences.

Kyle Dowling, from The Onion puts it well when he writes:
"Sometimes the best, most crippling new anxieties just come to you in the middle
of the night..." and “If I think of a new paralysing fear relating to my personal or professional
life and don’t immediately write it down, there’s a good chance I’ll just
totally forget about it by the time I fall asleep four hours later.”

Worry, according to Dr. Tom  Borkovec, Penn State University describes worry as a a functional device to prevent bad things from happening or how to prepare oneself for the worst. Spending so much time doing this means that much one's life can be spent in an illusion!

Considering this in conjunction with the Dr David Burns, Feeling Good Handbook's 10 forms of twisted thinking - it may start to feel like we are living in our own insanity! He identifies Jumping to Conclusions as one of the ways in which people believe they can either mind-read or engage in fortune telling.  Its impossible to know what anyone else is thinking so why do we do it? When we try to anticipate how events might play out - this is fortune-telling. We have no idea of the forces at play, and studies have shown that we are pretty bad at predicting how things will turn out, much less how we will feel in the future!

So, in closing, here are a few action items you can followup on if you would like to learn how to better manage stress, and anxiety:

1. Identify Productive worry and Unproductive Worry - Make a list of your worries and then try to reframe each on with what the reality of the situation really is.
2. Keep a 20 minute appointment with your worries. Call it "Worry Time". Each time you have a recurring thought that seems to replay in your mind, simply move it to Worry Time. During worry time - write down all your worries and reframe them.
3. Learn to accept uncertainty and trust your inner knowing to help you move through the situation gracefully and with ease, no matter how bad.
4. Meditate and learn what is inside your innernet. Allow yourself to practice relaxation. Relaxation promotes a calm mind and a creative mind - it is only in these moments that you will find your mind will feel like it has the space to examine what is really going on and at times, even dawn epiphanies on you as to how you can solve the problem.

This week we will be teaching more about stress and anxiety at the Axial Centre in Springwood on Monday at 7pm - Bring a friend and join us for a session that will leave you in a profoundly relaxed state.

Today my post is about how you can move towards learning to listen to your inner self and use it as a leadership tool in any environment you find yourself in.

Search inside yourself to learn more about your innernet. Your "innernet" is the book of YOU... sometimes we are simply too busy to stop and listen to what the universe is trying to tell us.
The pace of life can make life feel like we are so busy, stressed to the eyeballs for some, often with no time for ourselves. 

The truth is - we are the only ones that can make that time! 

Its true! Don't believe me just because I am saying it - I have evidence of the experience of others. In our YES OR NO classes we have been teaching at the Relaxation Centre of Queensland, - a short 3 hour session - helping people to learn what is important for them, and how to say NO to the things that are not important, in a kind-hearted way that doesn't limit future opportunities, people have found that suddenly they DO have time. We are running the YES OR NO course on the 12th February 2014 - so be sure to come along to this life-changing, freeing course. Check out our EVENT CALENDAR.

When we make time for those things important to ourselves, how do we know what is important? By practicing meditation and mindfulness, you will get clear on what is important to you, supported with deep thought and contemplation before action. Clear Mind, Clear Direction, Clear Life is the way to go so why not attend our meditation classes on a Monday night at 3398 Pacific Highway, Axial Building, opposite Kam Koon Restaurant - cnr Service Road and Watland, Springwood. Book in before attending as places are limited - 07 3808 6633 (Springwood Wellness Centre). Holly will take your booking. 

We also offer an active meditation called flying. A combination of movement, breath and music brings about a gentle relaxation of the mind. Watch the video as it is very difficult to describe - you have to experience it.

In the coming weeks I will post articles that relate to scientific studies that confirm the benefits of meditation, plus links to resources, articles and Youtube videos that will give you a better understanding of why we are so passionate about promoting these community connections and healing activities via Dreamtopia. 

We aim to connect communities to promote healing and are always looking for volunteers from all walks of life, no matter what location or vocation. We need all the help and assistance we can get with launching our exciting project list for this year. If you are interested, you need to become a member, and email your resume with a covering letter letting us know how and where you would like to be of assistance. This will enable us to best match you to the project that will promote and enhance your skill set and abilities, beset aligned with your passion and we can both be in a win-win situation. We look forward to hearing from you. 

References: 

• Chade-Meng Tan: Search Inside Yourself, Authors at Google 
  
• California Institute of Integral Studies - Google's Search Inside Yourself Program
  
• Google's Search Inside Yourself program is a good starting point for beginners as it brings meditation practice into mainstream.