One of my supervisors at the Maple Counseling Center reminded me that the brain doesn’t distinguish between anxiety and excitement. That sometimes when we look forward to a new chapter of our journey, enthusiastic anticipation is clouded by our practiced reflex to first, worry. Is it a survival mechanism? Perhaps. But do we let worry inhibit our abilities to experience the beauty of this world? Yes, way too often.
Like many of you, I am a natural worrier. I worry about my family, my synagogue, our country. If I let myself, the worries spiral, flooding, washing, drowning. But the psychology of our faith doesn’t allow me to remain stagnant. Over and over again, I hear God nudging Moses as he stood, confused, knowing that the Egyptian army was close behind: “Moses, stop praying to me! Get moving!” In other words, don’t let your worrying stop you from leading. Don’t let your anxiety stop you from authoring the next page of your book.
Everyone wants to find the quick fix in pushing past worry and pushing towards purpose. But as most therapists will convey, healing occurs through journeying. Want to move forward? Then you can’t remain still. Want to find out what’s next? Then you have to be willing to grow.
The worrying will always be there. But the open door to the next stage of your life…that might close before you get to see what’s on the other side.
Stop worrying. Start living.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Nicole Guzik is a rabbi at Sinai Temple. She can be reached at her Facebook page at Rabbi Nicole Guzik. For more writings, visit Rabbi Guzik’s blog section from Sinai Temple’s website.
