In the vast landscape of our minds, there's a peculiar territory that seems to be constantly under siege—a place where worries loom large and uncertainties abound. It's the realm I like to call the "What ifs?" A place where hypothetical scenarios reign supreme, and the mind, like an overzealous guard, tirelessly patrolling, is always ready to sound the alarm at the faintest hint of uncertainty.
"What if I can’t pay my bills?" "What if I lose my job?" "What if she doesn’t call back?" “What if I don’t get an A in this class?” “What if the country goes to war?” The relentless interrogation continues, each question a pebble in the ocean of our vast consciousness, incessantly creating ripples and waves, poking at our peace of mind.
But what's the purpose of this relentless questioning? Why does the mind insist on subjecting us to this barrage of hypotheticals? Well, at its core, the "What if?" phenomenon is an ancient survival mechanism—a mental fire drill, if you will, designed to prepare us for potential threats.
Imagine our primitive ancestors, scanning the savannah for signs of danger. The rustle of leaves, the snap of a twig—each sound a potential harbinger of peril, a snake, a lion, a tyrannosaurus rex. In such a hostile environment, the ability to anticipate threats was a matter of life and death. And so, the "What if?" reflex was born—a mental sentinel standing guard against the unknown.
Fast forward to the present day, and while the dangers may have changed, our brains remain wired much the same. Whether it's a looming deadline or a missed phone call, the amygdala—the ancient guardian of our fears—sends out its warning signals, triggering the familiar cascade of anxiety. The amygdala does not know the difference between an impending deadline or the possibility of losing a job and say a hurricane bearing down on Long Island. It simply see’s your thoughts as safe or not. In fact anxiety is not an emotion by itself, rather it is fear turned up really loudly.
But herein lies the paradox: while this innate vigilance may have served us well in the wilderness, in the modern world, it often proves more burden than boon. The constant churn of "What if?" can leave us mired in a quagmire of anxiety, our thoughts consumed by the specter of impending catastrophe.
Yet, amidst this storm of uncertainty, there is a ray of hope—a glimmer of mindfulness that offers respite from the relentless march of worry. By cultivating awareness of our "What if?" moments, we can reclaim control of our thoughts, anchoring ourselves firmly in the present moment, knowing that a thought is nothing more than a thought.
The next time you find yourself ensnared in “What if” hypotheticals, remember this: while the mind may be a relentless interrogator, it is also a faithful guardian, tirelessly working to keep us safe. And in acknowledging its efforts, we take the first step towards reclaiming our peace of mind. Say “Thank you for keeping me safe, thank you for always looking after my well being, but right now, at this moment, I am GOOD!”
Here are two great books for anxiety:
Unwinding Anxiety by Judson Brewer, MD, PHD
Dare: The New Way To Stop Anxiety And Panic Attacks by Barry McDonagh
Comments