Who could disagree with that statement? Everyone of us has imagined the worst-case scenario at one point or another, which never happened. For those of us who tend to be anxious, worst-case scenarios are a regular occurrence; that is exhausting, to say the least!
Twain’s quote points out the fact that, ultimately, there was absolutely no need to be anxious and afraid of the future by imagining the worst.
Our survival and protective mind, which I like to call the ‘monkey mind’, equates the unknown with danger, which is an illogical or irrational conclusion. However, because the monkey mind’s horror movie triggers intense emotions in the body (i.e., fear and anxiety), it also concludes that: “If I feel that way, I must be in danger.”
We thus make ourselves suffer uselessly in the now while playing a horror movie in our minds.
Although the feelings are real – we could measure them with the proper apparatus – the CONCLUSION of ‘being in danger’ is NOT real. The ‘possibility’ that something could happen in the future does NOT make it real or actual in the now.
This fear of the future is also supported by the belief that ‘I don’t have what it takes to take care of whatever will happen’, which is another lie of the monkey mind. You are here today reading this blog, which is the proof that you have ‘survived’ and thus have what it takes to take care of yourself and your life.
In conclusion, make sure to do the following next time you imagine a horrible future situation:
Step back mentally and remind yourself that these strong emotions are a reaction to your thoughts, NOT to an actual danger.
Remind yourself of the fact that you have ‘survived’ EVERYTHING in your life; you are here today!
Take a few deep breaths and keep reassuring the fearful mind that you will do your best to manage whatever will happen.
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