Summary

The article outlines a personal journey from anxiety to empowerment through intention, prayer, and affirmations.

Abstract

The author of the article discusses their struggle with an overactive inner worrier, which constantly projects negative scenarios. To combat this, they introduce a three-step spiritual process to transform their inner worrier into an inner warrior, named Athena, embodying wisdom and strength. The process begins with setting a clear intention to foster mindful self-talk and positive visualizations. This is followed by prayer, which serves as a reminder to maintain inner peace and as a tool to address any emerging worries. Lastly, the author emphasizes the use of affirmations and mantras to reinforce a peaceful and empowering mindset, with the aim of cultivating a co-creative partnership with the mind for positive outcomes.

Opinions

The author believes in the creative power of the mind and the importance of controlling one's thoughts to manifest positive realities.
They express a metaphysical perspective, suggesting that entertaining negative thoughts is counterproductive to their spiritual beliefs.
The author views their inner worrier as a hindrance to their peace and creativity, and they are determined to shift this dynamic through spiritual practices.
They advocate for the power of intention and prayer as effective methods for achieving mental clarity and serenity.
The author has a strong belief in the effectiveness of affirmations and mantras as "prayers on the go," which can be easily remembered and implemented in daily life.
They see the practice of visualization not only as a personal tool for growth but also as something beneficial for their broader community, such as their church congregation.
The author values the act of writing and prayer as means to overcome worry and achieve a state of creative flow.

Friday Prompt

From Inner Worrier to Inner Warrior in Three ‘Easy’ Steps

By easy, I mean spiritual, as in intention, prayer, and affirmations.

I’m blessed to not be nagged much by my inner critic.

I’m cursed to be nagged all the time by my inner worrier.

My inner worrier is quite the blabbermouth. She’s got a vivid imagination, and she thinks like a movie producer. So she’s always previewing worst-case scenarios on the movie screen of my mind.

We’ve got me having a heart attack, my roommate having a stroke, and both of us coming down with COVID on the same day! My mom getting sick, friends yelling and screaming at me, and no one helping out at church.

In fact, everyone quits on the same Sunday that neither the speaker nor the musician shows up. The sanctuary catches on fire, the basement floods again, and rats take over.

The stock market crashes, inflation soars, our rent doubles, and all my teeth fall out.

You get the picture.

It’s actually not that bad. Or at least It happens one at a time. But as a metaphysician who believes our minds are creative, I have no business entertaining these images!

So, I have my work cut out for me — to shift the conversations in my head to ones of encouragement, support, and empowerment. And to infuse them with peace and serenity.

This is how I morph my inner worrier into my Inner Warrior. Let me give her a name. How about Athena, who was the Greek Goddess not only of war but also of wisdom and crafts. She’s a kick-butt, no-nonsense archtype.

I’m starting today by setting a clear intention.

My intention is to be so mindful that all my self-talk, inner conversations, and visions encourage, support, and empower me.

That any mental movies are scenes of delight and manifestation. Happy moments with family, vacations, book launches, festive celebrations at church when we’re back in our sanctuary, doubled in numbers, and donations.

I and we of the church should be doing these visualizations all along anyway.

This is no mamby-pamby oh, please, God, if it’s not too much trouble, can my mind be at peace?

No. This is the Divine Goddess/Mama Lion Spirit AKA Athena, being strong and clear. Proclaiming for all to hear: From now on, my mind is my co-creative partner — full of visions, ideas, and encouraging blessings — with angels singing sublimely in my heart!

I’m following up on my intention with prayer.

Setting the intention is a signal for the inner worrier to cease and desist. With Athena standing guard, she’s on notice!

By following up my intention with prayer, I’m regularly reminding myself, my mind, my heart, and Spirit (who really needs no reminding) that my inner landscape is peace and serenity.

If any worry or fear comes up, as no doubt it will, I can evaluate it, take note of any action needed, and say thank you for sharing. Then with a pause for prayer, I’ll shift my consciousness to where I want it.

If that doesn’t do the trick, I can pray with a friend, read a passage I’ve set aside for just this occasion, knowing it helps me get back on track, or do a session of Inner Listening.

That’s my meditative dialogue with God. Proven effective. Guaranteed to get me breathing deep and letting go of stuckness. Grant me the willingness to stop worrying and start writing when the time comes!

And to lock it all in, I’m creating an affirmation.

I love affirmations. And their short-short cousins, mantras. I call them prayers on the go. The shorter, the better, as that makes them easy to remember.

So for this concern, when I catch myself worrying, the mantra will be Peace! Be Still! Breathe! If I can take three or more deep, long, cleansing breaths, that will help immensely.

That sets the stage for a longer affirmation such as:

All my thoughts encourage, support, and empower me. I’m steadfast with my creative visions. I tune in to the songs of my heart.

Hey, what a great theme for March! Tuning in to the songs of my heart. Or tuning into my heart songs. Now I need to tab down my heart’s playlist.

So stay tuned — literally and figuratively!!! I’ll be back!

Thank you, Diana C., for this pensive prompt and all it’s got me doing for myself!

Weekly Prompt: 1st–5th (March)

Introspection & transition series

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Marilyn Flower writes political humor and satire to delight socially and spiritually conscious folks. She’s a regular columnist for the prison newsletter, Freedom Anywhere, where she writes about faith and prayer. Five of her short plays have been produced in San Francisco. Clowning and improvisation strengthen her resolve during these crazy times. Stay in touch!