Waiting to Exhale: Reminders for Anxious Times

Back in December, I watched Waiting to Exhale for the the first time and remembered how much I used to love the song above! I understood it to mean that whatever happens was always meant to happen. We might as well breathe, release the tension in our necks, and relax our shoulders as the inevitable comes into fruition.

I’m the type of person that likes to have control. Control over my life, control over my emotions, control over how others’ actions make me feel, and control over the outcome, whatever that may be. I think — for some — it’s in our nature to crave the knowingness that comes with control. It’s the ability to definitively say this or that will happen for sure. But that’s just it! That’s not life is it? Life happening is undeniable and it’s going to stay that way whether we obsess over it or not.

Below I’ve shared a mixture of phrases, verses, poems and prayers compiled from my readings, friends, and family, that I recite when I feel as though “control” is slipping through my fingers.

Note: As a woman of faith some of these affirmations have come from the Bible. I’m sharing them regardless of spiritual and religious affiliations because I believe that they can be adapted and applied to whatever you may or may not believe in.

Worry doesn’t empty today of it’s sorrows, it empties today of its strengths. 

One of my best friends shared this with me about a year ago, and when I think it or say it I attribute it to her. However, it was written by Corrie Ten Boom, a Dutch watchmaker who hid Jewish persons in her home during the Holocaust in order to keep them out of the reach of the Nazi Germany.

Know the fear and do it anyways

Another one of my dearest friends said this to me recently. I can’t remember the context of the conversation but she said it so matter-of-factly that I had to write it down. It reminds me to be unafraid of the inescapable.

Philippians 4:6

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

This was my second grade teacher’s favorite verse and I’ve recited it at least once a month for the last 16 or so years.

Poem: Hymn to Time

Time says “Let there be”
every moment and instantly
there is space and the radiance
of each bright galaxy.

And eyes beholding radiance.
And the gnats’ flickering dance.
And the seas’ expanse.
And death, and chance.

Time makes room
for going and coming home
and in time’s womb
begins all ending.

Time is being and being
time, it is all one thing,
the shining, the seeing,
the dark abounding.

This poem was written by the late Ursula K. Le Guin. It’s repetitive nature and ambiguous undertones are soothing to me. Would recommend reading or reciting near bodies of water.

Don’t let your mind go where your body is not

I must be blessed or something because this quote comes from yet another one of my soul sisters. She told me this when I was stressed over moving and life and God only knows what else. This was the first affirmation I wrote to start the list you see before you.

Nothing lies outside the reach of prayer except that which lies outside of the will of God.

Prayer of Thanks

Thank You for every blessing You’ve given me. Help me run to You when I’m feeling worn down. You are my joy and my sustainer. In You I have more than enough. Thank You, again, for Your love and grace! Amen.

Poem: Untitled [No One’s Awake]

No one’s awake
but us, and a bird.
The day’s too beautiful
to speak a word.

This poem was written by poet, journalist, and human rights activist Rose Styron.

I am here (1) by God’s appointment, (2) in His keeping, (3) under His training, (4) for His time.

We are here with reason and for a reason.

I’ve been toying with writing a post like this for around six months, truly because I wasn’t sure if it would be something that people could actually relate to. As I talk to my closest friends I realized that even if someone is not prone to getting caught up on the anxious aspects of life, we all have our moments where can need to be reminded that it’s ok to let the inevitable happen and deal with the outcomes as they occur.

If just one person reads this and remembers to exhale today I’ll be ecstatic. I’m not professing that these reminders and affirmations are the cure for all of life’s stressful situations and inconveniences, but I’ve found them helpful for some and I hope you can too.

As always thank you for the honor of your time. Subscribe down below (at the very bottom of the page) and let’s stay in touch!

Yours Truly and truly me,

Maya G