• PSYCHO-PATHS: Untwisting the Anxiety We Feel Today

• NEW FEATURE: “Larry’s Leuko Logbook” about my cancer

• SOULPRINTS: Kneeling at the Cross…

We are experiencing the worst chaos of our national life in decades. That means that most of us are feeling major spikes in anxiety. Worry sucks! It’s not going away anytime soon. How can we deal with the knot in the pit of our stomach when our jobs are threatened, our civil rights violated, our bills mount up, our neighbors are deported, our healthcare network ripped open, our world allies betrayed… the twisting in the knot of worry seems to tighten our stomach more everyday.

Chris voted for Trump with the promise of getting ahead financially. He bought some cryptocoin and hoped a change in Washington would clear the decks. He never saw it coming that the cancelling of infrastructure funds would destroy his construction job, eliminate his food stamps, and force his gay nephew to leave the country in fear.

It's vital we pay attention to our reactions when events pummel our sense of security like gut punches. Psychological science and ancient wisdom help us make some moves for well-being.

Focusing on what we can control is a big step forward. We may care about the people of Ukraine but there is really nothing that you and I as common citizens can do. But I can send some money to relief efforts or call my representative. We can’t control whether we are suddenly laid off. But we can start packing our parachute to be ready with tight financial management and developing job options. Finding some sense of control promotes our self-image and releases positive neurochemicals for better mood.

Another vital step to slow our anxious mind is to do something physical. Yes, anxiety is in our minds but it’s also in every cell in our body. The twisting knot is our mind telling our gut to get ready for action. So give it some action by taking a walk, doing some yoga, or hitting the dance floor. Movement changes the cycle of anxiety by giving our mind another focus.

Untwist the Knot: Focus. Move. Talk

There are several other skills to diminish anxiety but I’ll mention only one more. Talk it out. That sounds simple but many of us have trouble verbalizing what we feel, especially when it is a negative mood. I mean, winners don’t worry, right? Nope. Winners collaborate to find solutions. That means talking about what the problems are. We are wired to be social creatures. We need the time to spill our guts, complain, find support, receive validation, and learn answers. Silence is a breeding ground for anxiety that stifles our energy.

Handling worry wasn’t easy for Chris. Anger came first at the way his trust had been betrayed by the incompetent leaders of his world. He lost lots of hours of sleep and lashed out at his wife. He apologized and went to church with her. The preacher actually prayed with them without any judgment. Then a friend called for a fishing weekend. On the boat he let it loose. His buddy listened. The knot started to unwind. On the boat dock he met a guy needing help with his engine. Chris offered his skills. The guy turned out to be the owner of a big repair shop in the next town. Within a week a job was offered. He focused on what he could do and that hurting gut began to improve.

Worry is normal when things go wrong. There will probably be more bad news this week and the next with our current leaders. But we can choose our reactions to move beyond the gut-wrenching anxiety that carries us down. Focus where you can make a difference, move your body, and talk it out to break the pattern. We can make it even in this chaos.  

I stumbled into the urgent care lobby holding a bucket half-filled with blood. My pale, blood-stained face and the commanding words of my wife brought a rushed march past the reception desk to a treatment room. Perhaps a bit startled at my sudden appearance at this midnight hour, a doctor and a small staff of nurses started working on my life-threatening medical emergency.

The story grows only wilder. I’d like to share it with you.

Leukoplakia is my nemesis, a growth of painful cells that can lead to cancer, that appeared on my innocent tongue in the Fall of 2022. The bloody bucket formed another twist in a long, winding path that isn’t over yet. In a few days I’ll have a second surgery to remove another part of my tongue. More on that later..

I'm writing "Larry's Leuko Logbook" to share with you more about my journey dealing with potential oral cancer over the past three years. The story involves family, friends, medical professionals, treatments, mood swings, mortality, and yes, God. It’s been part confusing, part frustrating, part frightening, and part amazing--and maybe all those at once. Through this Logbook I hope to share a story that will enlist your spiritual engagement with me, promote your well-being and entertain a bit. The journey isn't over, and I'd like you to share it with me.

I invite you to share the story through this newsletter. The Logbook will be an added feature to the rich library of material dedicated to your well-being that is sent in the Express newsletter each week.

Maybe someone else would benefit from my journey, so you can encourage them to subscribe by sharing the link below. 

For your Holy Week reflection:

“We kneel before the Cross in homage to self-giving love… a reminder that at the center of the Christian story lies love, not hate; grace, not rage; mercy, not vengeance.”

—Jon Meacham The Hope of Glory

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