Living life on purpose, with purpose, is very important to your recovery. Anxiety and depression may continue after we have made changes if we haven't replaced old behaviors with new ones that give meaning and purpose. If you feel incomplete, like something is missing, ask yourself some questions: Where have I been? Where am I going? What am I all about? What in my life gives meaning to my existence? How are others better for my presence? What do I feel passionate about? What am I doing that feeds that passion? Am I fulfilled in my career; vocation and avocation?"
People with anxiety disorders often feel trapped; this can be symbolic. Are you "trapped" in a job with no future, a job that doesn't stimulate you, a relationship or situation that would require a huge risk to change? WE can only encourage you to use the skills you've learned to overcome this avoidance behavior and gather the courage to walk toward changes that will lead you to greater meaning and purpose.
Take one day with the above questions; write about them Plan on paper how you will go about beginning to live with purpose. Maybe you will decide to see a career counselor, bounce what you are thinking off of a trusted friend. Maybe you will sit very quietly and listen for the answers that are within you.
We encourage you to nurture your spirituality. Acknowledging and seeking support from your spiritual beliefs is healing and leads to a basic faith and trust that we will "be all right," even when we make mistakes or confront something that we truly have no control over.
As a beginning we recommend:
• Chapter 14 in Lucinda's book: FROM PANIC TO POWER
• TELLING YOURSELF THE TRUTH, by Backus and Chapian
• FRESH BREWED LIFE, by Nicole Johnson
• SPIRITUAL WORKBOOK and DEVOTIONAL GUIDE, by Darla Van Horn, MA, LSW, Jerry and Carole
Wilkins.
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