(on friendships and anxiety)

Today our lives are littered by quicksand pits along the paths to happiness and fulfillment. It has gone beyond just an occasional occurrence to a potential pitfall before us every step we take.
Why is it that some people seem to have pit after pit of quicksand in their lives and others do not?

HAVE YOU FALLEN INTO A SINKHOLE?

One of the root causes of the rampant unhappiness we see today are found in the list below
• Self-pity
• Self-absorbed
• Self-centered
And yes, even the obsession of Selfies!

People have taken their eyes off helping others and see only themselves.

Let’s clarify with just a few examples:
Self-pity, many have had it rough including trauma, abuse, and they blame their unhappiness on things in their past that were beyond their control. Many in self-pity also have abandonment issues and are fueled by offense. Many feel they have a right to feel sorry for themselves. Antonyms  for self-pity are happiness, joyfulness

Self-absorbed, in their appearance, their problems, their “lack” of belongings, their status. They have expectations of how others should react to them. Antonyms are generous, self-giving, greathearted

Self-centered, I want what I want, and I want it now. Their unhappiness is controlled by a lack of what they feel they deserve. They expected a better home, more vacations, to retain their youthfulness… This group often says I deserve to be happy and have fun and blame others for their lack of unhappiness. Antonyms are giving, unselfish, charitable

Selfie obsessions scream here I am – look at me! Your value in life is whittled down to a photo. Always comparing yourself with others. Falling into the trap that because others do it is ok and thus desirable.

All of these are only fronts of a problem that could also be labeled idolatry. The worship of a lifestyle, an appearance, a status, things that are often just beyond reach. A deception placed in our society by evil to control you and keep true peace and joy at arm’s length.Often keeping you at the edge of emotional quicksand that can leave you unhappy, unfulfilled, friendless, and alone!

FOR MORE INSIGHT AND A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE READ

SPIRITUAL SINKHOLES

Jesus came that you could have abundant life.  Abundant life is being born again.

Could there be a connection between a pedestal and anxiety?

We can all identify with those people who seem to idolize themselves and place themselves on a pedestal.  Most of us dislike that kind of person and shake our heads in wonder at why some people think they are so great. When we look at this person, many think their identity must be one of privilege. Maybe they are just self-loving, arrogant, and prideful. 

Have you ever considered their pedestal may just be a cry for help? Look at me!   They may brag of their accomplishments; they may flaunt new items they acquire. They may put others down so they can feel superior.   Their pedestal may be an attempt to gain friendships or to overcome a torrid past…? How? by making them selves into that which they long for or idolize.

Many with anxiety disorder, depression, and mental torment also place themselves on a pedestal.  A pedestal of sadness, hopelessness and constant comparisons of those in the same boat.  A pedestal that places them apart from others. But, it is often used as a soap box for the same – Look at me cry!  However, this groups chant is negative instead of boastful!

This group often keeps their past alive… they hold on to that which they say they do not want, and therefore keep fueling the fire of fear that is the foundation of most anxiety and panic attacks. and hence they remain where they are. This group shares not their accomplishments but all their symptoms…

Neither of these platforms work in gaining true friendships. Yet many who stand on either type of pedestal feel friendless. WHY?

If you are standing on a pedestal there is only room for 1

To find true friendships those with genuine caring and concern, the pedestals that we stand on must be dismantled.

Everyone in today’s social media frenzy think badly of them selves because they do not have enough friends.  Why is that? Our worth is not determined by how many we know or how many wish us happy birthday.

Back in the day of Little house on the Prairie  people lived far from others, isolated, no computers, no phone. Seldom did they even have many possessions…  yet they were happy!

Many become friends only if there is something in the relationship that they benefit form. When push comes to shove, they move on at an alarming rate.  So many have become TAKERS not GIVERS.

The most content people I know do not have a long list of friends. They have one or two but who would drop everything to come to our aid.  The happiest people do not define themselves by those around them. Their value lies in who they are, how they behave, and live life!

To have a friend is to be one. That means you must take your eyes off yourself, and your problems. You must become the type of friend you desire and not keep even one foot on the pedestal of negativity and being alone!     

Throughout these blog posts we keep repeating

• Negative thoughts – be it friendships, what you speak, who you hang with, what you listen to what you see… only fuel the fire for continued panic, anxiety, depression, AND loneliness.
• Speak of that which you desire not that which you want to change.

NUGGETS

You must change your mindset that is fill in the ruts of negative thinking so you do not keep following the paths that keep you isolated and reliving that which you do not desire!

CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK TO CHANGE THE WAY YOU BEHAVE