The Worst Thing That Can Happen Rarely Does

Wherever your location, you can chose to be at peace or be anxious.

Coming out of something that altered my life permanently, it takes a little more effort than normal to get back into how the world works. I thought being ill was the ultimate ass-kicking I would get in my life. I was sure that nothing else from here on out would be as lousy.

The truth is, the worst thing that can happen rarely does. Or maybe it's our perception that our brains make of what the worst case scenario is that throws us off. Sometimes in the mist of it all, the good doesn't seem as exceptional, and the bad doesn't seem as awful.

Recently I was on the west coast in Arizona. I was sitting in sunny, beautiful, eighty degree weather with someone who makes me happiest. Even in this setting, I often found myself becoming upset about inconsequential things. Right there in that moment, there was nothing for me to worry about, yet I felt somewhat troubled. It was clear to me that relaxation was impossible due to anxiety. It would almost take over and prevent me from enjoying myself.

This continued to happen wherever I was; in a helicopter ride above the Grand Canyon, hiking up a small trail anticipating a breathtaking view, or dining at a lavish restaurant. I began to notice that much of the time I was anxious, my location or current circumstance had very little to do with it. I'm in charge of my own mind and could make the choice to tell myself that it will all be well. Your internal state is independent of your external state.

In more instances than you may think, things do work themselves out. Though if I'm still feeling uncertain in evaluating a decision or running over a situation in my head, sometimes it's helpful to ask myself, "What's the worst thing that can happen?"

-Dani