Sarah Carpenter

The goal should not be getting rid of anxiety because it only makes us more anxious. 

The goal is not to get rid of it but to stop giving it power.  "Just because you're on my team doesn't mean you get to get to be my boss."

Anxiety doesn't control our thoughts.  It is the reverse.  Our anxiety comes from our thoughts, from our belief system, how we are viewing and seeing the world.  This is often a subconscious process.  When we notice anxiety we can sit down and take a look at the thoughts that are causing the anxiety.  Then we can start to reassess these thoughts.

Become the three year old in your brain and keep asking "why".  Get curious.  Don't judge your thoughts or your anxiety. 

We talk about how being a highly sensitive person and being very aware can contribute to the anxiety because we notice the people around us and their reactions.  We can use these qualities for good as well.  We can be more empathetic. 

Anxiety is also a great teacher because it forces us to look more deeply at things.  And it also allows us to be more deeply engaged with others. 

When we view ourselves as broken and damaged then that is how other people see us as well because that is the type of energy we portray. 

We need our community and our group for survival so we have that primitive fear in our minds of being authentic and vulnerable. 

Listening to your inner wisdom is hard because of all the other chatter on top of it.  Sometimes the messages don't seem to make sense.  But when we can be true to that voice then no matter what happens we live without regret.

The visual tool of holding your hand in a tight fist and it hurts.  Then you take your other hand and crush that fist until it is extra painful.  If you try to release your fist you can't because your other hand is clamped on top.  This represents all the negative feelings we have about our negative feelings.  All the resistance we feel towards it.  If we can take the hiding, the shame and resistance away then you have the ability to eventually open up your fist and let it go. 

When we are taking care of ourselves our capacity to give to others is so much greater.

Also look to see how other people's energy is affecting you and learn to protect yourself from that.

Personal tools – be willing to feel the feelings and not hide from them.  Look as every situation as a classroom, as a learning.  In every circumstance there is always some beauty to be found if we are looking for it.