• Schedule an Appointment

    Contact me for a free phone consultation
    3201 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 201 | Santa Monica, CA 90403
    rachel@rachelfintzy.com | (310) 365-1632

    • Email
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • Rachel Fintzy Woods

    • Home
    • About Me
    • My Therapeutic Approach
      • Couples and Relationship Therapy
      • Do You Have An Eating Disorder?
      • Somatic Therapy & The Mind-Body Connection
    • Groups & Workshops
    • Get Started
      • Insurance & Fees
      • Good Faith Estimate Notice
      • Pay My Bill
    • Resources
      • Mental Health Links
      • Common Questions
      • Recommended Readings
      • Research Findings
      • Rachel in the Media
    • Contact Me
    • Blog

    The Coyote (Predator or Prey?)

    October 13, 2011
    Share on Facebook Share
    Share on TwitterTweet
    Share on Pinterest Share
    Share on LinkedIn Share
    Share on Digg Share
    Send email Mail

    “Always move toward your demons. They take their power from your retreat.” (Thom Rutledge)

    One valuable tool I’ve found for dealing with fear or anxiety is to view my feelings as enthusiasm. This way, if I’m fired up about an upcoming event, I can use this energy constructively and direct it accordingly.

    One rather odd example is when I was walking in the early morning in my neighborhood and encountered a coyote. What with the pre-dawn lighting, I initially thought it was a dog on a very bad hair day, so I ventured fairly close before stopping in my tracks. The coyote and I stared at each other.

    The coyote began to creep slowly toward me, with a menacing look on its face. I sensed that if I turned and fled, the coyote would probably run after me, considering me prey. On the other hand, if I charged the coyote, it might view itself as prey and run away.

    I chose the latter (not without some trepidation), and sure enough, the coyote hightailed it down the road away from me. In a similar manner, I find that if I confront my fears and proceed with confidence (even if I’m faking the confidence at the time!), my fears retreat.

    What about you? What is scaring you right now in your life? Can you imagine yourself “charging” one of your fears? What action would this entail on your part?

    Share on Facebook Share
    Share on TwitterTweet
    Share on Pinterest Share
    Share on LinkedIn Share
    Share on Digg Share
    Send email Mail

    Filed Under: Anxiety, General Tagged With: anxiety, fear

    Rachel Fintzy Woods, MA, LMFT

    3201 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 201
    Santa Monica, CA 90403

    (310) 365-1632
    rachel@rachelfintzy.com

    Online Counseling

    Browse Through My Blog

    • Acceptance (39)
    • Addiction (12)
    • Anxiety (45)
    • Codependency (1)
    • Courage (19)
    • Depression (24)
    • Emotion Regulation (49)
    • Emotional Eating (8)
    • General (147)
    • Goal Setting (26)
    • Grief and Loss (2)
    • Happiness (38)
    • Holidays (5)
    • Mental Health (67)
    • Mind/Body Connection (14)
    • Mindfulness (38)
    • Peace (8)
    • Personal Growth (67)
    • Relationships (31)
    • Self-Compassion (29)
    • Words of Wisdom (5)

    Contact Me Today

    By submitting this form via this web portal, you acknowledge and accept the risks of communicating your health information via this unencrypted email and electronic messaging and wish to continue despite those risks. By clicking "Yes, I want to submit this form" you agree to hold Brighter Vision harmless for unauthorized use, disclosure, or access of your protected health information sent via this electronic means.
    Rachel Fintzy Woods, MFT
    rachel@rachelfintzy.com | (310) 365-1632

    Online Counseling
    A Website by Brighter Vision | Privacy Policy