Ask "Crone OTD": (Crone Judith Pauly, also known as "Older Than Dirt")

Dear OTD Crone Judith

I am sad to say these past few weeks I find myself snapping at the kids, barking at the dog and eating too much, as well as, sometimes drinking more than usual. Do you have any suggestions how I can get through these tough times without harming my relationships? Sometimes I feel paralyzed with fear and want to just give up.

Dear Paralyzed

Yes indeedy, these are difficult times to be in a place of trust and safety let alone peace and love. The economy is just a one of the things triggering the EGO’s most powerful ally called FEAR. Some of you may have seen the acronym of FEAR. False Expectations Appearing Real. Scientific research has proven one cannot hold the emotions of love and fear at the same time and fear will raise its ugly head whenever it has a chance. Fear conveniently plays into the familiar Woman Within PIES model. Physical … causes insomnia, indigestion, anxiety, depression to name a few. Intellect … creates doubts, brings up old lies/beliefs of low value and low self worth. Emotional … longing, sadness, paralysis, AND, probably the most potent is Spiritual … a disconnect from the soul.

We do have choices in whether we embrace love or fear. Perhaps not easy AND it can be simply accomplished with awareness. We may not be able to change the reality of the world, however, we can make a choice to be in fear/ego or love/soul.

I don’t want to sound too woo woo or sappy but I do know this simple exercise works and only takes a couple of minutes.

Allow your mind to still by breathing and consciously relaxing your body. Close your eyes and fill yourself with light, healing loving light. Fill, fill, fill until it comes out of your pores. Now think of something or someone who makes you smile. Perhaps a baby, pet, partner, grandmother or nature. Bring this smile into all of your body and fill yourself with this love. Give it a color if you wish.

When you open your eyes continue to feel this energy and go back to it whenever the fear wants to come in.

A couple of practical things to do: Connect with others. Smile at the person in front of you in a checkout line. Do your best to stay away from the news. The whole design of the media is to create sensationalism through fear and negativity. If watching TV calms you, watch FUNNY stuff. I watch two and a half men by the hour.

Consciously remind yourself to relax. Take a walk in nature, listen to Mozart or whatever makes you smile. Sing OLD MAC DONALD HAD A FARM. It will change your mood immediately.

And as always, remember “TITTIES APART OPEN HEART.”

Blessings to you all.

Judith Pauly, "Older Than Dirt" www.PaulySoulStuff.com Email: JKPSOUL@PaulySoulStuff.com 312.952.7896 Ask OTD is a regular monthly Heartbeat column. Send in your questions to OTD at JKPSOUL@PaulySoulStuff.com Read Judith's new blog and see her new home at serenityforest.blogspot.com

Judith Pauly (Crone OTD)