Waters of Life
by Robert Gerzon
This month marks the four year anniversary of the publication of my book Finding Serenity in the Age of Anxiety. In this era when most books have extremely short shelf lives, I am delighted that Finding Serenity is still in print and that it continues to find new readers every day. I am gratified by the letters and emails I receive from people who have found my book to be a life-changing experience.
The past four years have only deepened my conviction that our relationship to our anxieties and fears is the single most important factor in determining the course of our lives. Welcoming fear as a teacher allows us to learn life's most important lessons and to deepen our capacity for serenity and love. Denying or running from our fears sends our life careening off course.
Writing a book on anxiety does not, I have found, exempt the author from encountering more anxiety on his path through life. Since publication of the book I have experienced life crises and challenges. I have had many opportunities to practice what I wrote about. Anxiety has become a closer friend than I ever thought possible. Anxiety's nudges and jabs wake me up and keep me from sleep-walking through my life. Fear's hard knocks shake me up and keep me from getting too settled in outworn habits and beliefs. Anxiety leads me to new growth, deeper wisdom, greater pleasure.
The great puzzle I have yet to decipher, and may never succeed in solving, is why some people choose to accept fear as a teacher and others do not. Some people with abusive childhoods who experience raging storms of toxic fear in their subconscious somehow manage to accept fear as a path to healing. Other people with imperfect but far less traumatic childhoods, maintain their elaborate defenses while anxiety wreaks increasing havoc in their inner world and their relationships. The most popular defenses throughout history continue to top the list in modern times: denial and blame.
This choice to accept the presence of anxiety, untangle its Toxic, Natural and Sacred Voices, and surrender to its guidance seems to be made at a deeper level than the ego personality. The bad news is that none of the personal attributes valued by society count for much when it comes to making this choice. Making the right choice does not appear to be correlated with attractiveness, intelligence, income level, talent, health or family background. The good news is that salvation from fear and healing through love are equally available to each and every one of us -- because this choice is made at the soul level. Those who make the Choice to Love -- to love even fear itself -- become life's Chosen People because they have chosen Love.
The two biggest obstacles we face in surrendering to fear's guidance are ignorance and arrogance. Many people remain stuck in toxic patterns simply because they don't know how to get out of them. They are searching; they know they need to change. But they don't know how to change.
Through our own searching Christine and I have found powerful tools for change and rediscovered long-hidden principles of transformation. We enjoy leading other seekers of truth to the well of life-giving waters that nourishes each of our souls. Like dusty, thirsty travelers they drink from the waters and are refreshed. They bathe in the waters and wash away the debris of the past. Their inner life flourishes anew and then begins to bear fruit in their outer life. Witnessing this life-affirming process is one of the greatest joys of the work that we do.
Arrogance is different. Sometimes pain leads even the arrogant to seek relief and help. Yet when they encounter life-giving waters, their pride keeps them from recognizing how dry and thirsty they are inside. They pass by rather than admit their need. As the old proverb reminds us, we can lead others to water but we cannot make them drink.
As the spring rains bring life-giving waters from the heavens above to the earth below, we see the flowers and trees soaking it up and growing abundantly. May we do the same with the life-giving waters our Creator showers upon us. To be blessed is to blossom. To be Chosen by life, choose Love.
Find out more about Robert Gerzon’s highly acclaimed book Finding Serenity in the Age of Anxiety.
Find out more about Robert Gerzon’s Counseling and Coaching Services.
Read more articles by Robert Gerzon online at:
http://www.gerzon.com
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