I'm so worried right now.

[Independent_Liberal]

I getting these awful anxiety attacks. There's a lot of things I'm worried about. I feel like we're running out of time. I feel like our country is running out of time. I feel that if something isn't done now, democracy is going to die. I'm worried about the upcoming elections. I've never been so concerned for the future of our country than I am now. I'm sure you all understand how I feel. Please give me a message of hope.

[Jeanette in FL]

1. You are not alone

They have not won, but I totally understand your anxiety. I am in the same place. That is why we need to fight a little harder. Educate one more person today. That is how I keep going.

[helderheid]

2. This too shall pass

I know what you're feeling. It happens to me too. When it does, I hit the Lounge, hug my kids, take a deep breath until I'm ready to come back.

[EFerrari]

3. Well, your "reality check" equipment seems to be working just fine.

There are a lot of things to be concerned about, that's for sure.

We need to find a way to balance being aware and concerned with resting up and checking out for a healthy while. It's a challenge for sure. You're not alone.

:hi:

[porphyrian]

4. The thing is, you should be anxious. Things are that scary.

If you simply need hope, the fact that DU is here, with more than 90,000 registered members, all with the same concerns, looking for a way to make things right, should help you feel better.

However, if you are having real problems, therapy and medication (Effexor worked best for me) might be in order.

[BeHereNow]

I understand, I really do.

Many of us experience these symptoms.
Personally, I wake up in the middle of the
night frequently- turning it all over in my head.
We feel powerless and that is a set up for
depression.
Take a walk.
Do something creative- that always works for me.
I grab a guitar, or play my piano or make some pottery.
What ever your creative outlet is, and we ALL have one-
make some time everyday to focus your spirit
in that space.
It helps balance your thoughts.
Really, it does.
BHN

[BeHereNow]

7. I just love that so many of my favorite DUers showed up on this thread!

See, it aint all bad!
Look at all the compassionate and caring
people who support you!
In other words, you are not alone
and your thread attracted some of the best people
on DU immediately.
(((((Hug)))))
BHN

On edit-
"Attracked...a neocon verb meaning:
attract nut case followers who support
attacking innocent civilians in a never ending
quest for world domination."

[EFerrari]

14. Love your new verb, ""attracked".

Lol! A verb for the times!

[BeHereNow]

17. Oh hell...I'm so tired...forgive me.

We've had construction workers from hell
at the house for the last two weeks.
Between them and the very topic of this thread
I have not slept a full night for weeks...
Maybe I should take a nap...?
BHN

[EFerrari]

18. Take one! But, I really did mean it. We need

a new vocabulary to deal with this sh!t.

:hug:

[BeHereNow]

21. Go see my edit on that "attracked" post...heh-heh.

I just gave my mispell a definition.
I think you'll approve...tee-hee.
BHN:hug: back at ya!

[EFerrari]

22. LOL! Perfect.

:thumbsup:

[Javaman]

23. There is a lot of truthiness to that. ;) nt

[Javaman]

25. Come november 8th and things haven't changed...

and there have been more stolen elections...I honestly don't know what to think.

that is the day I'm worried about.

Until that time, I have hope, I support the democratic party, I will do my part and volunteer.

Work hard and don't give up hope.

[EFerrari]

27. Sounds like a plan to me. n/t

[BeHereNow]

28. I have no faith in the election process at this point...

We have seen SO much debauchery at this point, where
elections are concerned!
However, we have seen NO consequence despite
the cold hard facts known about it.

I don't think these people are going away anytime soon-
However, I do think we can make it a little harder for
them
By refusing to shop at Walmart or other such places.
By getting out of credit card debt.
By not patronizing ANY corporate owned business.
By buying our gas at VENEZUELAN supplied stations. (Citgo)

And most importantly,
By refusing not to continue doing what makes other people happy
in our own back yards.

I do not think we are going to stop the evil they
have planned for this country, but despite whatever
fresh hell they present, they can not control our spirit, hearts and minds.
Although they do seem to give it one helluva try.
BHN

[elehhhhna]

5. step away from the keyboard! go outdoors.

cut the caffiene. etc. breathe deeply.

[Minimus]

6. I'm not sure if it will help you but when I start feeling worried about

the direction our country is heading I call my 73 year old father, a retired Naval Officer and a Democrat, for reassurance. He always tells me our country and citizens are resilient and that we will survive the bush administration.

I'm 42, but hearing Daddy say this always makes me feel better.

:)

[BeHereNow]

9. Amen to that!

I call my dad too, and at 75, he's seen plenty.
He agrees with your dad- he says that history proves
that any citizenry subjected to a dictatorship will eventually
rise up against oppression.
It's going to take time, but I have faith that
eventually, maybe twenty years or so down the road-
people WILL say enough is enough.
Trouble is, its going to be pretty depressing until then.
But at least we have one another to lean on
as Bush/Cheney INC rapes the country.
BHN

[Neecy]

8. well...

We can only control what's in our power to control. We can't stop Bush or the neocons but we can be a voice of conscience in an increasingly insane world.

Do what you can. Volunteer for a campaign, walk in a peace march, volunteer in your community, whatever. And let the rest go. The country has come around much faster than I'd expected (I lived through the Vietnam era) and we have the majority of the American people on our side. That's something to hold on to.

[liberal N proud]

10. We are all right there, This is a most scary time for human rights

If this democracy falls, there will be no hope for the rest of the world.

I am more worried about my kids than myself. I grew up with parents that survived the Great Depression and we lived like it. So worst comes to worst, I am sure that I can survive some how. but these poor kids, they did not get that handed down experience.

[BeHereNow]

13. As the parent of a 19 year old, I see some good news-

The kids of today, at least the ones who
are not being brain washed in fundie churches,
are very aware of what is happening and they
are not fooled by Bush/Cheney INC for a minute.
The have subtle ways of dealing with the corporatists
who are robbing them of their future-
For instance, they only shop at used clothing stores.
They will not participate in rampant consumerism.
The only eat out at family owned diners.
They laugh openly in the face of military recruiters.
They will not accept credit card offers.

They get it. They really do.
I have much faith in the new generation.
Ultimately, THEY are the ones who going
to pay for the hell unleashed in this country
and I see them fighting back in full awareness
of that fact.
Don't underestimate them; not for a minute.

BHN

[liberal N proud]

26. You said it:

"THEY are the ones who going to pay for the hell unleashed in this country"

That is what has me so worried about them... They will suffer for this regimes crimes.

[Flirtus]

11. Take care of the small things you have control over

Get busy. Recycle and set other good examples. Finish your filing and work on all your projects.

I have life long recurrent anxiety, and my best advice is to try to help out in your corner of the world, even if it's a very small corner. Get your mind off yourself.

I ate lunch outside today, fed crumbs to little birds, and tried to be nice to everyone. I think there must be something to this time of the year, lots of people are feeling low.

We're working hard to lift the USA back to something we can be proud of, and now we are in the ditch digging dirty foundation restoration part, and it's ugly! And scary! Be brave!

[EFerrari]

15. Excellent suggestions.

:)

[RufusEarl]

12. This country has been in trouble before,

and we're still here. I have those anxiety attacks now again myself, but i take solace in knowing that we have only two more years before this particular nightmare will be over.

And remember we have a better then 50/50 chance of taking back one of the houses in the upcoming election, and if we work our butts off we can make that happen.

Also working ones butt off for a good cause will help keep ones mind occupied, and that'll help tamp down the anxiety.

[skids]

16. Hands off the coffee and eat some comfort food...

I find the best anxiety relief is the company of good friends. If you've run out of them, go make some more.

[EFerrari]

20. Yeah! Go find as many green tea drinkers as possible.

That's my plan. :hippie:

[ChiciB1]

19. We Have A LOT To Worry About....

Up-coming elections may NOT be what many are hoping they will be IMO!! In the last 3 days I keep hearing that The Idiot's polls are going up, Santorum is only 5 pts. behind Casey... and McCain is hiring Democrats, The Lie is going to be able to keep his committee positions should he win in Novemeber.... And here we go again FEAR, FEAR, FEAR!

And once again it seems America is buying into the same old CRAP!!

I don't know what to tell you to give you hope.... I HAVE NONE myself. Put "hope" in the four-letter category a long time ago. If we go down again in November I'm afraid we ARE DOOMED!!

Just saw Harold Ford's new AD, it's very good... but it's selling FEAR to some extent. He does say we aren't protecting our borders for the most part, but it's still the "thing!" I really want him to win, and I don't really think he's as much of a DINO as many think... he's playing the game. Maybe that's the only way he can win but it does make me quite UNHAPPY that this is what it takes to win!

Watched A&E the other night, Kennedy & Obama... I liked it and think Obama has HUGE potential. The program focused on how very diverse his family is, ethnically I mean. He seemed to be right in the middle and that may be what makes him so appealing. I have been working hard for Democrats, but I really wonder if I make ANY difference!

Checking out for now... I'm a little too depressed to be checking out the news today. I understand you're worried and I just GAVE more reason to be worried. Sorry!

[davekriss]

24. Where there is breath there is hope

No matter how bleak things appear, you need to put things in their proper perspective. Breath in, breath out. Again. Look at the blue sky above, listen to the laughter of children, take in the song and dance of that bird on your windowsill! Turn the computer off and get outside!

Practically speaking, a life that is vowed to simplicity, appropriate boldness, good humor, gratitude, unstinting work and play, and lots of walking brings us close to the actual existing world and its wholeness.
-- Gary Snyder

Now, for that "unstinting work and play",

If you assume that there's no hope, you guarantee that there will be no hope. If you assume that there is an instinct for freedom, there are opportunities to change things, there's a chance you may contribute to making a better world. That's your choice.
-- Noam Chomsky

We could be standing in front of tanks on Tianamen Square and still get to this,

People say that what we're all seeking is a meaning for life. I don't think that's what we're really seeking. I think that what we're seeking is an experience of being alive, so that our life experiences on the purely physical plane will have resonance within our innermost being and reality, so that we actually feel the rapture of being alive.

...and...

If you do follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while waiting for you, and the life you ought to be living is the one you are living. When you can see that, you begin to meet people who are in the field of your bliss, and they open the doors to you.

I say, follow your bliss and don't be afraid, and doors will open where you didn't know they were going to be.

-- Joseph Campbell, The Power of Myth with Bill Moyers

No matter what comes, you will see brothers and sisters lining up beside you, blissfully fighting the eternal fight against injustice, inequality, and oppression. They can mow us down but up we spring again, renewed in every generation. This political winter will not last.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

29. Unless Things Get MUCH MUCH WORSE, People Will NEVER Learn

It's going to take a complete and utter collapse of this country, and it's influence around the world, before people MIGHT begin to realize what's going on.

So long as things stay La Di Da, people will watch their Corporate Media, listen to their IPod's, play their XBox's, drive their SUV's and Hummers, and basically remain oblivious to anything.

Even if things really go downhill, the majority of conservatives will rationalize it, and make it look like nothing, or the Dems fault somehow.

[loudsue]

30. We're all in the same boat, Indie Librl ---

and a cozy boat it is! My crystal ball quit working, and I have NO IDEA how things are going to turn out, or WHEN they're going to turn! But I know that many THINKING people in this country are aware of how much trouble we're in. And I also know that many FEELING people in the world want PEACE in their lives, and they know they're not getting it under war-mongering, global corporatism.

All the media lets us hear about are the war mongerels and the global corporatists -- they're not letting us hear from our BILLIONS of brothers and sisters around the globe that are NOT terrorists under one banner or the other. But I assure you, there are BILLIONS who want peace, and only millions who desire to profit from oppression and war. We've got the numbers, we just need some leaders.

:kick::kick::kick::kick:

[Rex]

31. Don't worry, be happy.

If these are truly the end days, then you better enjoy every minute you have left. I know I do and it changed my life. Now would be a good time to reflect on all that you have and those that love you. Feel lucky about the fact that you weren't born a worm or fish or an insect.

[Independent_Liberal]

32. Thanks guys!

I feel better now. I took some time out and had a beer. It's good to know that there's others out there who feel the same. I'm somebody who never gives up hope. BTW, I do have something to be happy about. Today is my 23rd birthday.

:)

[BeHereNow]

34. H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y!!!!

Here's to YOU!:party: :toast: :beer: :thumbsup: :hi: :loveya: :grouphug: :headbang: :yourock:

[Rex]

35. Happy Birthday!!!

That is something to be VERY happy about! Hope you have a great day! :bounce: :spank: :beer: :headbang:

[Raffi Ella]

37. Happy Birthday

:party: :toast: I'm glad you're feeling better.

[sam sarrha]

33. that is why the Buddhists call this Samsara... the Sumerians felt the same

There is a lot of mind control going on, dont watch TV.. it is really unhealthy and there i nothing that is real in its news.. i only listen to Air America ..'minus Jerry Springer' cant stand him..and NPR, it never gets totally better really for any length of time, you just have to meditate to disassociate the negative emotions from it. and it gets better thru perspective...

when the Dalai Lama was asked what the purpose of life was.. he laughed and said, to prepare for a good death. the transition is often more important actually than anything in life.. if you believe in reincarnation.

the conventional mind can not figure this out.. it doesn't have the capacity to do anything about it. meditation opens up new potential for perspective you passively aquire 'Skillful Means', it uses a different part of the brain, there is no good or bad, it is an analogical place, and lyou bring it back with you.

[Warren DeMontague]

36. Let the wise words of the Great Prophet calm you down:

http://www.billhicks.com/justride/

The world is like a ride in an amusement park and when you choose to go on it you think it's real because that's how powerful our minds are. And the ride goes up and down and around and around and it has thrills and chills and it's very brightly coloured and it's very loud. And it's fun - for a while. Some people have been on the ride for a long time, and they begin to question; is this real? Or is this just a ride? And other people have remembered, and they come back to us, and they say, "Hey, don't worry, don't be afraid, ever, because... this is just a ride."

[blues90]

38. Those are the very words I would use as my feeling

You are not alone and I know this is no help . I wake up everyday and a shock goes through me because I wake up and the reality rushes right in . I don't feel and can't find one thing to distract me from thinking about this .

I have been told on another board that this fear is what th BCF wants but my fear and yours are not unfounded hysteria , these fears are all based on knowing just how mad these people in control are and how little we can do on a personal basis to stop them and hiw little time we seem to have left before we enter the area of no return .

How can anyone function and find hope with so much wrong going on and each day this grows and expands . The worst part is so far our worst fears have been realized then we find hope that the next insane out burst will work out our way and still we are dissappointed . There is no place to purge the worry and fear and if you try to ignore it then you feel guilty or that you will be caugth off guard .

[butterfly77]

39. I feel the same as you do a lot of the time but...

I try to talk to as many people as possible and in some cases you have to use fear to make them think and realize what is really going on. I also try to recommend certain talk radio stations. Sometimes when I travel by bus I also leave made up flyers with information because you never know who will read it or pass the word to others.

It is very hard but there needs to be a lot of waking up, for the uninvolved so that they can hear what is really going on. Sometimes I leave on my radio with the station tuned to air america or other stations when I am in a public setting where others can hear and some ask what is the station and what am i listening to. There are many ways to spread the word we can advertise without a lot of money.

[katty]

40. You're not alone! it's scarytime