You can't do it.

Now you've fucked everything up.

You're a bad person.

No wonder people think you're weird.

You'll never be good enough.

I am sure many of you have heard these little fuckers. They throw a wrench in your mood, your plans, and your motivation. Ironically, they tend to pop up most when you start to feel content, happy, and excited about the future. Why? They are your survival mechanisms, and they don't want you getting too goddamned relaxed now that things are going well.

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I was watching an interview/conversation a couple of days ago between Vayner Media's Gary Vaynerchuk and multi-millionaire, world famous motivational speaker and businessman Tony Robbins. It was a great interview. Something Robbins said really jumped out at me. He said something like Look, we have a 200 million year old brain trained to look for potential bad things that could happen in order to help us survive.

This functionality is especially pronounced in those who have been abused, are extremely empathic, or traumatized. Your brain is trained to look for the potential bad things that might happen because in the past they have happened. Your brain is trying to protect you, but there comes a point where this functionality can go haywire and become counterproductive resulting in neurosis, phobias, compulsive behaviors, worrying, and obsessions. In most cases our physiology reacts to a stressor as if it were an ACTUAL LION in the room with us.

Now, granted, there is an ominous cloud of dread floating around (especially in highly conscious groups of individuals) about the state--the government--and the murders, abuses, kidnapping, rape and slaughter perpetrated by this entity daily, and that shit adds up. ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WHO ARE WELL-READ and well-versed in history. Even here, though, the fear can become paralyzing and counterproductive if not transmuted into anger, action, intention, or purpose.

So how do I combat these huge feelings of dread--both state and un-state-related--when they hit me?

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I don't know. I really do not think there is a one-size-fits-all answer. Talking to someone who can understand definitely helps, even if you think your worries, feelings, or concerns are invalid or irrational. Feel your feelings, and don't run away from them. Take action directly into them, and ultimately...and always...

Keep moving.

(And sometimes "keep moving" means slowing down and getting back in touch with yourself)

BUT ALWAYS...

Keep pushing forward and KEEP FUCKING MOVING, HOMEY!!!! YOU GOT THIS!!!

~KafkA

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Graham Smith is a Voluntaryist activist, creator, and peaceful parent residing in Niigata City, Japan. Graham runs the "Voluntary Japan" online initiative with a presence here on Steem, as well as Facebook and Twitter. (Hit me up so I can stop talking about myself in the third person!)